Politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto have defended the Sunday Nation which on 18th August 2019 published a controversial story claiming that opposition leader Raila Odinga had announced his 2022 presidential race against Ruto.
The ODM Party, which is now demanding an apology, said the story was fake and fabricated on the basis that Opposition leader is yet to declare his 2022 intentions.
Speaking during a TV interview on Tuesday, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot rubbished the party’s claims while arguing that the reason why the party members were angry and demanding an apology is that the paper had revealed what they wanted to be kept a secret.
“The reason why they are mad is that the paper burst their bubble and revealed who they are,” stated Aaron Cheruiyot.
Reaction to Sunday Nation headline that says Raila is to run for President:
The reason why they are mad is because it burst their bubble and revealed who they are. – Aaron Cheruiyot #AMLiveNTV @debarlinea pic.twitter.com/pV3M5DJCUj
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) August 20, 2019
While echoing Cheruiyot’s remarks, Former Kakamega County Senator Boni Khalwale bashed the party for threatening to sue the Nation paper.
He further accused them of being selective on their plot to sue them since they hadn’t done the same on politicians who had openly declared their 2022 bid including Kirinyaga Governor Ann Mumbi.
“If the paper is wrong and you have decided to sue them, why haven’t you sued Waiguru? Why haven’t you sued me? When I took the same position. They should have demanded a right of response, instead of resorting to suing the paper,” posed the close ally of DP Ruto.
To Otiende Amollo: If the paper is wrong and you have decided to sue them, why haven’t you sued Waiguru? Why haven't you sued me? When I took the same position. – Boni Khalwale #AMLiveNTV @debarlinea pic.twitter.com/OT9NfhwZXI
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) August 20, 2019
They should have demanded a right of response, instead of resorting to suing the paper. – Boni Khalwale #AMLiveNTV @debarlinea pic.twitter.com/i2EI4tj7TL
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) August 20, 2019
On Sunday, the ODM Party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna accused some elements within the media of peddling falsehoods with the intentions of interrupting the party leader’s initiatives with President Uhuru Kenyatta.