Kenya Insights

Tag: Standard newspaper

  • Dennis Itumbi Tears Into The Standard Over ‘Fabricated’ Protest Report

    Dennis Itumbi Tears Into The Standard Over ‘Fabricated’ Protest Report

    Dennis Itumbi, a top digital strategist in President William Ruto’s inner circle, has unleashed a scathing attack on The Standard newspaper over its explosive exposé alleging a government plot to sabotage the upcoming June 25 protests.

    In a strongly worded statement, Itumbi accused the media house of abandoning journalism and embracing propaganda. The exposé claimed senior government officials, police, and bloggers were coordinating to infiltrate the protests with violence and fear.

    As tensions rise ahead of the planned demonstrations in memory of fallen Gen Zs, Itumbi’s furious response has reignited the debate over truth, media ethics, and government transparency in Kenya.

    Itumbi Slams Standard Over Exposé on Govt Plans to Disrupt June 25 Protests
    President Ruto and digital strategist Dennis Itumbi during a past event; Itumbi has slammed The Standard’s exposé as political fiction. [Photo: Courtesy]

    Itumbi Slams Standard Over Exposé on Govt Plans to Disrupt June 25 Protests

    The Standard’s investigative piece shook the country just days before the June 25 protests are expected to sweep through Nairobi and possibly other towns. The report exposed what it said was a coordinated plan by the government to flood the demonstrations with violence and confusion.

    Among the explosive claims were:

    • Leaked WhatsApp messages allegedly involving government officials and bloggers planning the disruption
    • Mobilisation of goons to attack protesters, especially targeting women to create fear
    • Digital propaganda campaigns run by UDA loyalists to discredit the protests
    • Police complicity, with the National Police Service allegedly briefed on the plans despite public reassurances of safety

    The exposé tied the alleged operation directly to State House, claiming the plot had blessings from the top. It revealed how a network of power—from MCAs and MPs to high-level parastatal bosses—was tasked with implementing the plan across key urban areas.

    But Itumbi hit back hard. He rubbished the entire exposé as political fiction designed to discredit the government and stir public unrest. He dared The Standard to provide verifiable evidence instead of unnamed sources and screenshots.

    “The Standard has weaponized journalism. This is no longer about informing the public. It’s about inciting them,” Itumbi said.

    Questions Raised Over Credibility and Timing

    The Standard’s report has sparked national debate—not only about the alleged plot but also about the role of the media in such a volatile moment.

    Critics aligned with the government have questioned the timing of the exposé. With less than 24 hours to the planned protests, the article has inflamed tensions and drawn attention to government accountability.

    “It is not a coincidence that this piece drops just before the protests. It’s a coordinated attack on the administration, hiding behind press freedom,” one senior official who requested anonymity told local press.

    Others see The Standard’s revelations as a public service, exposing the potential for violence and helping Kenyans prepare or demand accountability ahead of the demonstrations.

    The Kenya Editors Guild and other press freedom defenders have remained silent so far, but civil society groups are calling for an independent investigation into both the claims made and the government’s response.

    If true, the exposé would confirm long-held suspicions that recent demonstrations—especially the chaotic ones—have not been organic but influenced by deeper political machinations.

    June 25 Protests Still On Despite the Chaos

    The June 25 demonstrations are expected to be massive, with families of fallen Gen Z protesters and leading activists vowing to proceed despite the alleged threats.

    The protests are in memory of those killed during last year’s anti-Finance Bill riots, which turned deadly in several towns. One such protest on June 17 this year saw goons with sticks disrupt peaceful demonstrations, robbing civilians and looting shops. Police were accused of watching without intervening.

    In some dramatic scenes, civilians turned against the attackers, beating them and ejecting them from the marches. Videos shared online showed some of the thugs limping away, bloodied and broken.

    Activists have warned that any attempt to derail the upcoming protests will be met with resistance

    As the country waits for Wednesday, the rift between the media and the State appears to be deepening. And at the center of it is the fierce rebuke by Itumbi.

  • Raila Calls on Supporters To Ignore Standard Newspaper; Terms Its Reporting Malicious

    Raila Calls on Supporters To Ignore Standard Newspaper; Terms Its Reporting Malicious

    NAIROBI — Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has urged his supporters to disregard reporting by The Standard newspaper, accusing the media house of running a malicious campaign against him and his family.

    In a strongly-worded statement issued Tuesday by the party’s Secretary General Senator Edwin Sifuna, ODM condemned what it termed as a “campaign of demonising and tarnishing” Mr. Odinga’s person, career, standing, and legacy by The Standard Newspapers.

    The statement particularly referenced The Standard’s lead story published on Monday, May 5, 2025, which ODM described as “misleading” and “packed with lies, malice, mischief, and a clear vendetta against the Odinga family.”

    “We appeal to our supporters to refuse to be blackmailed, arm twisted and intimidated by a company that is pursuing a disguised political and profit motive,” read part of the statement dated May 6, 2025.

    According to ODM, The Standard’s coverage is motivated by both political and profit interests, with the newspaper allegedly attempting to “blackmail and arm twist Mr. Odinga and ODM into supporting the political position of the owners and management of the Standard Group.”

    The opposition party claimed that the newspaper’s Monday coverage falsely suggested that family members of the former Prime Minister who currently hold elective and appointive positions owe their positions to a political agreement between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and ODM.

    “The unmistakable insinuation in The Standard’s narrative is that anyone bearing the Odinga name has no place in Kenya’s public life — whether in elective, appointive, or even voluntary service,” the statement continued.

    The party acknowledged that The Standard correctly reported that Raila Odinga currently holds no government office, his brother Oburu Odinga is an elected Senator, and his sister Winnie Odinga is a duly elected Member of the East African Legislative Assembly.

    However, ODM took issue with the newspaper’s attribution of these positions to what it called a “handshake” agreement, claiming this undermines “the credibility of legitimate electoral and parliamentary processes.”

    The statement also referenced Dr. Wenwa Akinyi Oranga, reportedly a daughter of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who allegedly was dismissed from her position as Chief Chemist at the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya upon discovery of her family connection.

    ODM accused The Standard of serving “the political interests of a well-known family whose own members have simultaneously held multiple elective offices,” alleging double standards in the newspaper’s reporting.

    The party emphasized its support for “every Kenyan holding an appointive or elective position regardless of family or region of origin, the Odingas included,” and reminded The Standard that “Kenya is a constitutional democracy founded on equality, fairness, and merit – not inherited exclusion.”

    The Standard newspaper had not responded to ODM’s allegations by press time.

  • Raila Accuses Standard Newspaper of Smear Campaign, Warns of Unknown Action

    Raila Accuses Standard Newspaper of Smear Campaign, Warns of Unknown Action

    The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has accused The Standard Newspaper of orchestrating a smear campaign against its leader, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, and his family.

    In a statement issued by ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen on Monday, the party condemned the newspaper for a story published in its latest edition titled ‘Our Turn to Eat,’ which alleged that several of Odinga’s relatives secured senior government positions following a March political agreement with President Ruto.

    Ong’wen described the report as an attempt to “negate, demean, and destroy” Odinga’s legacy of sacrifice, nationalism, and patriotism, which he said came at great personal risk to Odinga and his family.

    The article featured a photo of Odinga alongside his brother Oburu, daughter Winnie, and other relatives, questioning whether Odinga’s actions reflect statesmanship or “strategic self-interest activism.”

    It accused Odinga of using national crises to advance personal and familial interests, despite his public image as a champion of the people.

    Speaking from ODM’s offices at Chungwa House in Nairobi, Ong’wen assured party supporters that a comprehensive statement detailing the party’s relationship with the Standard Group Limited will be issued on Tuesday, May 6.

    The statement is expected to provide guidance on how ODM will address the media house moving forward.

    The Standard Group has faced scrutiny from political circles for its hard-hitting exposés on Kenya’s political system.

    Recently, the media house has been embroiled in a legal battle with the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) over a Ksh43 million debt.

    The CA had threatened to revoke Standard Group’s broadcasting licenses, a move the company called a politically motivated attempt to silence its critical reporting on the Kenya Kwanza government.

    On April 15, the High Court issued a temporary order halting the CA’s actions until the matter is heard on May 2, 2025.

    ODM’s accusations mark a new escalation in tensions between political leaders and media houses in Kenya, raising questions about press freedom and political accountability as the country navigates a complex political landscape.