The New York Times Responds to Uhuru's Attack

The New York Times on Tuesday evening responded to President Uhuru Kenyatta' s criticism over a controversial article published on the American-based paper, that touched on the ICC cases.

After the publication titled: The Prosecutor and the President on its website and Trial and Error on print, the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU) released a statement sharply condemning the paper for being 'unprofessional' in reporting the matter.

However, The New York Times said that it would not apologise or retract the article, stating that it had diligently carried out research before publication.

"The Times makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of what we publish. Mr (James) Verini’s article was based on extensive interviews with dozens of sources in Kenya, The Hague and elsewhere and thousands of pages of court records, and was reviewed by editors and fact-checkers," the statement read in part.

The international paper noted that it made efforts to contact State House to get Kenyatta's side of the story but its efforts were futile.

"Verini attempted on numerous occasions over the course of months to solicit comment from Kenyatta’s office through official communications channels. Verini’s efforts included numerous emails, phone calls and text messages to Kenyatta’s chief and deputy spokesmen and two other aides," The New York Times stated.

“Throughout this process, (President) Kenyatta’s representatives were informed of the subject of the article and did not at any point address it. A fact-checker for The Times Magazine also emailed Kenyatta’s chief spokesman and received no response,” the paper added.

The controversial publication featured an extensive interview with the former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who divulged information on President Kenyatta's involvement in the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

In his account, Ocampo maintains there was witness interference, adding that former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga had on several occasions told him that President Kenyatta was aware of the violence being planned by the outlawed sect.

“The last time we met, I asked if he thought Kenyatta was guilty of the I.C.C. charges. He recounted a meeting he attended in January 2008, in the midst of the post-election violence, where Kenyatta was the chief guest and Mungiki were present. In the meeting, Kenyatta was careful never to mention violence explicitly nor the gang by name. But he collected cash donations. I asked the former lieutenant if it was possible Kenyatta did not understand violence was being planned. 'No,' he said, 'it is not possible'," the New York Times quoted Ocampo.

However, PSCU had earlier indicated that New York Times did not contact State House for interviews.

"Whom did the paper contact at State House? Is the truth on PEV going to be dictated by Mungiki, seriously?" PSCU questioned.

Read Also: Uhuru Sharply Condemns the New York Times

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