Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has strongly criticized Nation Media Group (NMG) over its Sunday Nation headline from March 16, which suggested that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga claimed to have saved President William Ruto from a military coup.
In a statement on social media, Cherargei accused the media house of misquoting Odinga, calling the headline misleading and damaging to both the opposition leader and the Kenyan military.
He argued that such reporting was irresponsible and demanded that the media outlet issue an apology to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Cherargei further urged Raila Odinga to take action against the publication, either by demanding a formal apology or taking legal action.
He accused NMG of engaging in what he termed as “sensational and brown envelope journalism” that distorts facts for political gain.
“Nation Media Group is either engaging in sensationalism or deliberately misquoting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on claims of a military coup against President Ruto’s government,” Cherargei stated.
“I urge PM Odinga to demand an apology or sue them for this biased and misleading reporting. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is one of the most disciplined and apolitical institutions.
Dragging them into such grave allegations for political reasons is not only malicious but also reckless, primitive, and unacceptable.”
The senator also criticized opponents of the current administration, urging them to find other ways to express their dissent without implicating the military in political matters.
The controversy stems from an exclusive interview Raila Odinga gave to NMG, in which he allegedly claimed to have played a key role in preventing a military intervention during the Gen Z protests in June 2024.
According to Odinga, he had received information that President Ruto was considering deploying the military to support the police in controlling demonstrators who had stormed Parliament.
Raila warned that such a move could have escalated the situation into a military takeover, arguing that once soldiers leave their barracks for political reasons, they rarely return.
“Ruto can only be removed through the ballot. But if soldiers are deployed, history shows that they might take over power and refuse to return to the barracks,” Raila was quoted as saying.
The opposition leader reportedly made an urgent call to the President, cautioning him against deploying the KDF, an action he believes could have led to a forceful change of government.
As the debate rages on, Cherargei and other leaders allied to the government insist that the military should never be dragged into political disputes, emphasizing that the KDF remains a neutral and disciplined force. Meanwhile, the Nation Media Group is yet to respond to the accusations.
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