The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has hit out at the Standard Newspaper following a headline in its Monday, June 23, publication that labelled party leader Raila Odinga a betrayer of the Gen Z.
In a statement, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna accused the Standard Media Group of running a coordinated campaign aimed at undermining the party's leadership.
He went on to claim that the newspaper was advancing personal interests under the guise of journalism.
"The Party has noted with disappointment the sensational headline by today’s Standard Newspaper, branding Party Leader HE Raila Odinga a betrayer of the Gen Z. For some time now, the Standard Media Group has run a campaign to blackmail, intimidate and force political leaders to take positions that are consistent with that of the ownership and management of the company.
"The Standard is pursuing a propaganda campaign disguised as journalism. In its latest pursuit of this agenda, the Standard has trained its guns on the leadership of ODM in a bid to force the party to support the political positions of the ownership of the media outlet," he said.
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Sifuna revisited last year’s Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill 2024, noting that the young demonstrators had explicitly distanced themselves from any political alignment.
"It is important to put in perspective the events surrounding last year's Gen Z protests, when young Kenyans took to the streets agitating for their rights but specifically demanding the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.
"They achieved this, while maintaining their position that they were neither aligned to any political formation, nor any leader. Because of the brutality meted out by the police, many of these young people lost their lives or were maimed," he continued.
Sifuna pointed out ODM’s position on accountability for the violence that occurr during protests such as the anti-Finance Bill.
"The ODM party leadership has firmly stated that there must be compensation by government for all lives lost and injuries sustained during the protests. This position has not changed. Neither has our demand that police brutality and abduction of citizens must end," he added.
Sifuna also dismissed claims that ODM was collaborating with the Kenya Kwanza government, insisting that the party is not in government.
"We have stated times without number, that ODM is not part of the Kenya Kwanza government. Whatever stability frameworks we enter into for the sustenance of a peaceful nation and democracy, do not amount to joining government.
"It is therefore in real bad taste for the Standard to consistently run this narrative knowing it is false. The journalistic tenet of truth, honesty and fairness cannot be sacrificed for political points," he further said.
Sifuna noted that ODM will not be intimidated by propaganda, further warning against what he termed as targeted media attacks against Raila.
"The leadership of ODM and the entire party, refuses to be intimidated and railroaded by partisan propaganda disguised as journalism. We particularly reject what appears to be the undeclared rules that seem to govern the Standard's coverage and treatment of the party's leader, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga whose sole aim is to distort the public's view of him and to force him into a political direction of the company's ownership," he stated.
Further, as the country approaches the anniversary of the Gen Z protests, Sifuna called on Kenyans to remain united and committed to peaceful democratic expression.
"As we draw close to the anniversary of the Gen Z protests, we urge Kenyans of goodwill to uphold national unity and ignore those who seek to divide us.
"The Party has for a long time been an advocate and practitioner of peaceful protest and change, and we urge all those who will turn out to commemorate the anniversary this Wednesday, to fearlessly stand on the side of freedom and democracy, and the right to protest as enshrined in the constitution," he concluded.
This is the second time ODM is calling out the Standard Newspaper over headlines targeting Raila.
On Monday, May 5, ODM called out the newspaper over a front-page story which featured Raila and members of his family.
Under the headline 'Our turn to eat', the newspaper listed several family members of the larger Odinga family who have secured jobs in President William Ruto's government since the broad-based initiative.
At the time, ODM said the headline was a smear campaign against Raila, accusing the media house of intentionally tarnishing the image of the former prime minister.
"The Orange Democratic Movement has taken note of the sustained smear campaign by The Standard newspaper against the Party's leader, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, and has now been extended against his entire family.
"We note that The Standard is determined to negate, demean, and destroy the known acts of sacrifice, nationalism, and patriotism that Odinga has undertaken at great personal risk to him and family, for the betterment of this nation,” the statement read in part.
