The Standard newspaper on Sunday became the subject of a sustained online attack from Kenyans angered by the framing of their story that reported the Al Shabaab attack on a KDF camp in Kulbiyow, Somalia.
Through the hashtag #Someonetellstandard, Kenyans on social media platforms expressed anger over a front-page headline from the Standard on Sunday: 'Somalia raid: KDF death toll now 68'.
A section of netizens felt that the headline was unpatriotic and in bad taste especially after it was compared to a similar headline from the Sunday Nation: '6-hour battle that saved KDF camp'.
The Standard on Sunday’s figure of 68 KDF fatalities was also disputed by official military sources which stated that 9 soldiers had lost their lives against a figure of over 70 men from the Al Shabaab side.
The Al Shabaab, known to exaggerate its casualties, had reported killing 57 KDF soldiers, further raising questions on where the Standard obtained its much higher figure.
The story from the Mombasa Road-based daily also placed the number of soldiers killed in the infamous El Adde attack at 173.
While the Kenyan government has declined to reveal the exact number of casualties in the 2016 attack, a UN report stated that 150 soldiers were killed.
Here are some of the reactions:
Journalists and editor trained before Matiangi. Poor judgement #SomeoneTellStandard
— Patrick (@pkamaukinyenje) January 29, 2017
Shame on standard. Gutter press. Action. Don't buy standard newspaper for the next five day s. #SomeoneTellStandard @kipmurkomen
— Patrick (@pkamaukinyenje) January 29, 2017
#SomeoneTellStandard that we can still remember what they did in 2007 general election. pic.twitter.com/sm78yR7ZSN
— Cyruz Kariuki (@KariukiCyruz) January 29, 2017
#SomeoneTellStandard No Kenyan let alone a media house should celebrate the killing of our soldiers,demean them or celebrate with terrorist
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN (@kipmurkomen) January 29, 2017
The terrorists exaggerate numbers to create a panic. The standards is working with those numbers. Connect the dots #SomeoneTellStandard
— Vinnie (@vinny_wa) January 29, 2017
There's nothing wrong in telling this side of the story ! Green twitter chokoras allover peddling #SomeOneTellStandard without reading. pic.twitter.com/8rRxeC7Xy6
— Leon Lidigu (@LeonLidigu) January 29, 2017
