Passaris and Salasya respond to viral photo showing them in close embrace
By Valerian Khakayi, January 28, 2026Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya have responded after a photo showing them in a close embrace went viral online.
In a statement shared on her official social media pages on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Passaris dismissed the image as fake, stressing that it was generated using artificial intelligence.
Using humour, she addressed speculation around the image, joking about their ages.
“Our ages: 61 plus 37 = 98, but 99 sounds better. 99 Problems and Honourable @peter_salasya ain’t one. Mumias East, a word for your mhesh.This image is not real,” Passaris said.
Passaris on data protection
The vocal lawmaker went on to say that as the country marks Data Protection Day today, the AI-manipulated photo highlights how easily digital content can be manipulated.
“Today is Data Protection Day. This image shows how easily reality can be manipulated. One version is AI-generated,” she noted.
“One is real. In today’s digital age, it’s becoming harder to tell the difference, which is why privacy, ethical data use, and responsible sharing matter more than ever.”
She used the incident to call for greater awareness around privacy, ethical data use, and responsible sharing of information online.
According to Passaris, data protection and stronger cyber laws, including Kenya’s cybercrime and data protection frameworks, are not just tech issues but safeguards meant to protect real people from digital harm.
“Data protection, digital ethics, and stronger cyber laws, including Kenya’s cybercrime and data protection frameworks, are not just “tech issues.” They protect real people from digital harm,” Passaris added.
She urged Kenyans to always verify information before sharing it.
“Always verify. Because in 2026, seeing is no longer believing,” she urged.
Real photo
To clear the air further, Passaris shared an unedited photo of herself and Salasya taken during a parliamentary retreat in Naivasha, contrasting it with the fake image circulating online.
Salasya on the AI photo
On his part, Salasya also reacted humorously to the viral image, saying that the day he puts a ring on someone’s finger is the day he will truly feel it.
“Ile siku nitaweka pete kwa kidole nitasikia vizuri sana uzuri sijai vaa pete hii AI iliweza,” Salasya joked.