Deputy President William Ruto, together with a section of Kenyans on Twitter, have come out to strongly condemn The Standard newspaper over what the DP termed as the media’s desperate gutter journalism.
Ruto was reacting to a Monday headline story by the media house involving President Uhuru Kenyatta who was jetting back from Japan and his deputy Dr. William Ruto who had gone to the airport together with Nandi governor Stephen Sang to receive the head of state.
According to the Standard Newspaper, the Presidential guards had ordered a section of official photographers to delete pictures capturing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reception on his arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The paper reported that after greeting those who had lined up at the airport to welcome him, the President allegedly got into his limousine to leave for State House before briefly stopping his vehicle and Uhuru’s aide-de-camp alighted and talked to President Escort Unit Commander Josphat Kirim.
It is alleged that this is where the President issued instructions to his men who singled out a few photographers and ordered them to delete the photos they had taken of the President’s arrival. It is reported that Sang’s presence at the airport might have evoked the decision.
However, taking to his Twitter account to express his displeasure, the simply agitated Deputy President William Ruto rubbished the newspaper’s report terming it as gutter press journalism.
Gideon Moi is tainting your name,he cannot believe you came from nowhere only to outsmart him. Elewe tu!
— @HonSammyRevolver🐬 (@Bsamuelmomanyi) September 1, 2019
Ruto was later joined by a section of online users who condemned the newspaper of always attacking the DP with others linking the report to the fact that the company’s major shareholder is Moi’s family.
According to some of the users, Gideon Moi who is William Ruto’s main political opponent in the Rift Valley region was using the newspaper to settle his political soars with the DP. Here are some of the reactions;
Kipkeleny Tulwo The standard, owned by the Moi family, is in the mission of drowning some competitors one by one but unfortunately for them, we have highly informed citizenry.
Patrick Amin The story is good yes, but did it deserve to be a splash or even a page 2, 3, or 4 story! If I were the Standard editor, this is a story I would published as a brief. Please, publish stories that can challenge the government to swing into action and impact on the society. Hizi fitina za wamama achieni bloggers or the Weekly Citizen. I think such a story is not even worthy for The Nairobian.
Without ua name on cover page they won't sale it…tunawajua…don't worry Daktari
— Davis Muricho (@DavisMuricho) September 1, 2019
I dont support Ruto but i think the Standard is becoming too petty and clearly petty at level bulllshit!. This is nonsense journalism. pic.twitter.com/S5tmw0ypPs
— Robert Josochi (@robertjosochi) September 1, 2019
Marsh Sam Do this guys know the importance of headlines? Is this worth a headline really? So what? Give better read not gutter press stuff!!
Yvette Carol As long as Daktari is fine, they can delete everything if they want to and even put railas pictures
Kenyans have made up their minds on who to elect as their president come 2022 and no amount of propaganda or scheme can destruct us. #very focused#hustler
— @johntymuiruri 88 (@Johntymuiruri8) September 2, 2019
Kenyans have made up their minds on who to elect as their president come 2022 and no amount of propaganda or scheme can destruct us. #very focused#hustler
— @johntymuiruri 88 (@Johntymuiruri8) September 2, 2019
Max Kip Guys please just understand the standard they just want their paper to sell nothing at all
Benard Kiprono Reminder guys.Standard media is part of fake news.It’s advancing moi’sm as advanced by GM.It’s propagating hate.Note that this supposed story has not been reported by reputable media houses such as Nation and Royal Media.Therefore ignore this rubbish being propagated by Standard media .
We have not forgotten how @StandardKenya through @KTNKenya fuelled the tribal PEV due to it's negative propaganda against former president Kibaki and the Kikuyu in 2007.
— Samuel David (@DasamQ) September 2, 2019
Kirior S Eli Standard is leading fakenews media owner is known to spread lies of division in jubellee btween uhuru n dp they deal in jubellee affairs and dp ruto is topic in pointblank.gazeti ni ya kufungia nyama
H.E @WilliamsRuto we are behind you like solid rock.Dynasty paper may throw mud at you but we will shield you from it.Long live the loving and working spirit of our DP.
— Kuria Maina Said. (@MIKEMAINAKURIA) September 1, 2019
A desperate move to soil the undisputed love of the two offices. This unity is unshakeable and will not end any soon. Not the handshake nor the Big Business Intended otherwise BBI can kill it. Media should be Limited Now.
— Fredrick Osiro (@Hon_Osiro) September 2, 2019
Man gidi and his perennial acolytes loader is desperate for any means they can use to cause discord in jubilee but nonetheless they will not succeed.
— Langat Bismark (@LangatBismark1) September 1, 2019