State House operative Dennis Itumbi has criticized the Standard Media Group for what he termed unethical journalism.
“Journalism is the pursuit of truth—anything less is gossip. For some newspapers like The Standard, that line isn’t blurred. It’s been buried,” said Itumbi.
He was reacting to an exposè in the Tuesday edition of the Standard Newspaper which carried screenshot images of a conversation between United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party politicians, activists and spin doctors organizing to hire goons to disrupt the planned Wednesday 25 June demonstrations.
The shocking conversation highlights plans to hire goons who will infiltrate the demonstrations and be involved in looting specifically phones, stabbing women, and robbing peaceful protesters.
Without denying the veracity of the claims by the Standard, Itumbi goes ahead to question the editorial policy of the newspaper.
“Their editorial mantra isn’t about facts. It’s about fabrication. This isn’t a tabloid, or even gutter press—it’s an insult to the very idea of journalism,” said Itumbi, adding “To call it a newspaper is to mock the sacred duty of newsrooms and journalists.”
Meanwhile, a story carried by the People Daily examines whether Raila Amollo Odinga has lost his political clout over the Gen Z.
Although sections of the media accredit the doyen of Kenya’s opposition politics for quelling the Gen Z protests in June 2024 it’s now appearing increasingly doubtful if he has sway over the current situation.
Dennis Itumbi. File Photo
Many youths, particularly the Gen-Z, viewed Raila’s decision to join Ruto’s regime as a betrayal, accusing him of opportunism while victims of police brutality remained unaccounted for, the newspaper reports.
The planned demonstrations will serve as a critical gauge of whether he still commands the street mobilisation power he once did – or whether his influence has waned in the past year.
More critically, his appointees in Ruto’s Cabinet are ‘sweating’. If the protests erupt with the same intensity as last year, it will expose their diminished political value, raising questions about their continued relevance in government.
A senior ODM MP, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted: “There is real fear in our camp. If the protests explode, Ruto might see us as deadweight. Our bargaining power hinges on Raila’s ability to control the streets – if that’s gone, so is our leverage.”
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