In a statement issued on Friday, the British mission in Nairobi clarified that the widely shared document was not authentic and should not be regarded as official communication from the United Kingdom government.
The commission also added a light-hearted remark while debunking the letter, joking that if the document were genuine, “it would probably be stained with spilt tea.”
The fake letter had spread rapidly across social media platforms, attracting widespread political discussion and speculation.
The document claimed that the office of the British Prime Minister had rejected an alleged request by Gachagua for a meeting because it was connected to Kenya’s 2027 presidential politics.
It further alleged that the UK government does not interfere in the internal political affairs of sovereign nations and therefore could not engage in activities perceived to favour a political side ahead of the elections.
However, British officials firmly stated that the document was fabricated and contained false information.
While dismissing the letter, the High Commission did not confirm or deny whether Gachagua had actually sought a meeting with Prime Minister Starmer during his visit to the United Kingdom.
The controversy comes as Gachagua continues his political tour in the UK, where he has been meeting Kenyans in the diaspora as part of mobilisation efforts for his Democracy for the Citizens Party ahead of the 2027 General Election in Kenya.
During engagements with supporters abroad, the former deputy president has been advocating for stronger inclusion of Kenyans living overseas in national leadership and governance.
According to Gachagua, if elected president in 2027, his administration would ensure greater representation of diaspora communities through appointments and nominations to positions in the National Assembly, Senate, county assemblies, and even the executive arm of government.
He argued that involving Kenyans abroad more directly in governance would help restore meritocracy, improve national development, and strengthen democratic institutions.
The fake letter incident has once again highlighted the growing challenge of misinformation and politically charged disinformation on social media, especially as political competition intensifies ahead of future elections.
Observers have urged the public to verify documents and statements from credible official sources before sharing them online, warning that fabricated information can easily inflame political tensions and mislead citizens.
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