Former President Daniel Moi has turned his guns towards Daily Nation over a story the media outlet published painting him in a false light.
In a letter drafted by his lawyer James Ochieng, the former president is demanding an apology from the media house and has issued an ultimatum for the paper to withdraw the story within seven days.
On July 1, the publication ran a cover page story titled 'How Uchumi bought Army land from Moi' in which it claimed that Moi acquired a 20-acre parcel of land in Nairobi under a firm that was yet to be formed and sold it to Uchumi Supermarket.
It went on to add that the former head of state and his aide, businessman Joshua Kulei, acquired the land in Roysambu in 1992 before selling it to Uchumi.
Ochieng further argued that the piece was presented to portray that Moi was involved in the irregular transfer of land.
He added that the article was calculated towards demeaning and belittling Moi in his capacity as former President, statesman and holder of public office.
“The publication thereof has injured our client in his character and reputation as a retired President and holder of public office, statesman and legitimate individual with business concerns both in and outside Kenya,” The Standard quoted part of the letter.
The former head of state is thus seeking to have the article pulled down from the Kimathi street-based media house's website as well as issue an apology to him.
“Our instructions are to demand, which we hereby do, your unequivocal admission of liability for defamation arising from the said publication as well as suitable and fitting apology to be approved by us and given much prominence as the defamatory publication in the next issue of your publication and full retraction of the text and tenor of the offending article,” demanded the letter.
