The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has criticised the Standard Newspaper for its controversial news article targeting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In a press statement on Saturday, July 5, the party's National Chairperson, Gladys Wanga, labelled the article titled 'Raila's Turf Rebels' as misleading, sensational, and disrespectful to Odinga and the party.
Wanga accused the newspaper of misreporting and spreading false information which purported that Raila was losing influence in his Nyanza stronghold.
“Our attention has been drawn to the continued misrepresentation of facts and disinformation by the Standard Newspaper, which is aimed at promoting the narrative that the ODM Party leader, the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga is losing popularity in his backyard of Nyanza,” the statement reads.
In particular, she condemned how the newspaper reported the deceased teacher Albert Ojwang's burial. In the article, part of the paper reads that 'what was once Odinga's now feels restless'.
“In Homa Bay, the winds have changed. What was once firm Raila Odinga soil now feels restless – cracked by grief, scorched by betrayal, and stirred by a generation no longer content with silence.”
“At the burial of Albert Ojwang, mourners did not just weep – they rose. They jeered the loyal and cheered the rebel. Babu Owino becomes a symbol: Raila’s lieutenants become targets,” the publication in the newspaper reads.
The party condemned this reporting, accusing the media outlet of turning a solemn and peaceful funeral into a political spectacle.
It added that the funeral was a national and cross-generational event that united Kenyans from all over the country.
“This portrayal of the late Albert Ojwang's funeral as a contestation for popularity is unnatural, detestable, and a disservice to the truth, the very maxim upon which the media operates,” part of the statement reads.
Wanga said that the burial was conducted peacefully and respectfully, contrary to what the article suggested.
The party, in the statement, praised Odinga as a distinguished Statesman whose contribution to the history of this Nation is undeniable and significant.
“We want to make it clear that the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga is a distinguished Statesman whose contribution to the history of this Nation is undeniable and significant. His consistent fight for justice, and sacrifices to lead, reconcile, and bridge divides in our society like no one else are undeniable.”
“ODM is strong and solid, and our recent national grassroots elections reaffirmed our standing as the strongest party in the nation,” she said.
