Najib Balala Says He Is Alive and Well, Dismisses Online Death Reports as False

Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has dismissed reports circulating online claiming that he had died, assuring Kenyans that he is alive and in good health.

Balala issued the clarification on Saturday evening, September 5, after posts claiming his death spread across social media and triggered concern among friends, former colleagues and members of the public.

“I am well and in good spirits. I am aware of the misleading information that has been circulating, but I want to assure everyone that it is unfounded,” Balala said in a statement posted on his verified Facebook account.

He thanked God for what he described as mercy and protection and expressed appreciation to those who had reached out following the rumours.

“I appreciate the concern and kind thoughts from friends and colleagues,” he added.

The statement directly contradicts social media posts that had claimed the former minister was dead.

Some of the circulating claims alleged that Balala had died after battling prostate cancer. However, Balala did not confirm having the illness in his statement, and there is no basis to treat that claim as established fact. Other Kenyan media outlets independently reported his denial on Saturday evening.

Fake news card fuels confusion

Part of the confusion appears to have been driven by a news graphic circulating on social media and presented as if it had come from an established Kenyan media organisation.

The reports spread sufficiently widely for Balala himself to intervene publicly.

His response is the clearest confirmation of his status: Balala says he is alive, well and in good spirits.

The incident is another reminder of how quickly false reports involving prominent personalities can spread online, particularly when they are packaged to resemble genuine breaking-news alerts.

Readers should verify reports of a public figure's death through the person's verified accounts, family representatives, official institutions or multiple credible news organisations before sharing them.

Balala remains active outside government

Balala is one of Kenya's best-known former Cabinet ministers and spent many years at the centre of the country's tourism sector.

He served as Tourism Minister during President Mwai Kibaki's administration and later held Cabinet positions under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, including Mining and Tourism.

More recently, Balala returned to a prominent international tourism role. In April 2026, he was appointed Executive Vice-President for Advocacy, Government Affairs and Research at the World Travel & Tourism Council, based at the organisation's global office in Madrid.

His public profile helps explain why the false reports attracted attention so quickly.

But Balala's message on Saturday was unequivocal: reports of his death are false.

“I am well and in good spirits.”

For readers encountering posts claiming otherwise, Balala's own statement provides the answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Najib Balala dead?
No. Najib Balala personally dismissed reports of his death on September 5, 2026, saying he is “well and in good spirits.”

What did Najib Balala say about the death rumours?
He described the information circulating online as misleading and unfounded and thanked friends and colleagues for their concern.

Why were people saying Najib Balala had died?
False posts circulated on social media claiming that the former Tourism CS had died. At least one misleading news graphic was also circulated as if it came from an established media outlet.

Was Najib Balala suffering from prostate cancer?
Some social-media posts made that claim, but Balala's statement did not confirm it. It should therefore not be reported as an established fact.

What is Najib Balala doing now?
Balala was appointed Executive Vice-President for Advocacy, Government Affairs and Research at the World Travel & Tourism Council in April 2026.

When did Najib Balala serve as Tourism Minister?
He served in the tourism portfolio under both President Mwai Kibaki and President Uhuru Kenyatta, becoming one of Kenya's longest-serving tourism ministers.

How can I verify reports that a public figure has died?
Check verified accounts belonging to the person or their family, official statements and several established news organisations before sharing the information.

Category: News