Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has demanded a retraction and apology from The Standard Group following the publication of what he described as a defamatory and malicious article in The Sunday Standard on August 18, 2024.

The article, titled “Gachagua’s Persona that is His Undoing,” appeared prominently on Page 1 and continued on Pages 6 and 7, containing allegations that Gachagua found highly offensive and damaging to his reputation.

In a statement signed by Njeri Rugene, Head of the Deputy Presidential Communication Service, and seen by Tukio.co.ke, Gachagua expressed his deep concern and outrage over the publication.

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He accused The Standard Group and the article’s author, Malkhadir Muhumed, of engaging in “yellow journalism” with the deliberate intent to tarnish his image and bring disrepute to his office.

“The fact that the tenets of Journalism of the Right of Reply and Objectivity were deliberately ignored clearly indicates that the sole motive of the article was to disparage and bring disrepute to the Deputy President,” the statement read. Gachagua further alleged that the article was part of a broader conspiracy aimed at undermining his role as Deputy President.

The article in question featured claims from an anonymous government source, linking Gachagua to the orchestration of protests with the involvement of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and a Gulf state, purportedly influenced by a neighboring country dissatisfied with the U.S.’s growing relationship with Kenya.

These claims, according to Gachagua, are not only false but also a direct insult to his integrity and the dignity of his office.

Gachagua has demanded that The Standard Group issue a retraction and a public apology, with the same level of prominence as the original article, within seven days.

The letter has also been communicated to the CEO of the Media Council of Kenya, Mr. David Omwoyo.

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