ADVERT 
A section of leaders from Siaya County has triggered mixed reactions online after sharing heavily AI-generated Eid Al Adha greeting posters featuring themselves dressed in exaggerated and comically oversized Islamic attire.
The digitally altered images, which flooded social media ahead of the holy celebration, portrayed politicians and public figures in flamboyant white kanzus, flowing kaftans, oversized turbans, ornate prayer beads and luxurious Arabian-style robes — outfits many netizens described as “more Dubai movie costume than authentic Eid wear.”
While the leaders intended to wish their Muslim brothers and sisters a happy Eid al-Adha, critics accused some of them of reducing Islamic culture into a social media aesthetic contest powered by artificial intelligence. Lawrence Jeffrey, a respected social commentator and opinion leader wondered why the otherwise intelligent leaders found it necessary to descend to buffoonery by adorning the crazy costumes.
The AI prompts alternately got the holiday name wrong with others calling it Eid Al Aidha which in the vernacular means squirrel.
On Facebook, X and WhatsApp groups, Kenyans hilariously compared the images to “AI-generated sheikhs,” with some users joking that the politicians looked ready for a desert coronation rather than Eid prayers. Others noted that the graphics appeared heavily filtered, with unrealistic facial features, glowing skins, embellished robes and backgrounds resembling royal palaces from fantasy films.
One popular Siaya senatorial aspirant known for his sharp looks actually resembled an unkept desert Bedouin!
The trend reflects the growing use of AI-generated imagery in Kenyan politics, where leaders increasingly rely on digital designers to craft polished public relations posters for holidays, funerals, church events and political campaigns. However, the Eid-themed designs appear to have crossed into parody territory, with many observers urging public figures to embrace authenticity instead of theatrical image branding.
Some Muslim faithful also cautioned politicians against treating sacred religious celebrations as opportunities for performative online branding. They argued that genuine Eid goodwill does not require exaggerated costumes or artificial depictions detached from local Islamic traditions along the Kenyan coast and within Muslim communities across the country.
Despite the criticism, the AI-generated posters continued circulating widely, attracting thousands of reactions, memes and satirical captions as Kenyans turned the elaborate outfits into the latest online comedy sensation.
