Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja on Thursday blasted the Star after the daily published a story exposing a trip allegedly by 20 Members of Parliament to watch World Cup Russia.
Through his official Twitter handle, the senator criticised the newspaper for dragging his name into the debate on the controversial trip for the sake of popularity.
From a series of screenshots sent out by Sakaja, a journalist affiliated to the media house had contacted the Senator seeking clarification on whether he would be part of the entourage to Russia.
[caption caption="Senator Johnson Sakaja holding the Thursday Newspaper"]
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The Nairobi MP, however, had clarified to the writer that he would not be going for the "benchmarking mission" opting to address more pressing issues in his constituency.
"I cancelled my travel so as to focus on the issues of Gikomba, Nyamakima and Kamukunji traders who rioted last week as well as the Solai (Dam burst) issue," Sakaja had texted the writer.
However, despite acknowledging the receipt of the clarification during the Wednesday, 4 pm conversation, the media house went ahead and included his name among those set to travel.
"Senators were to be led by Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi) but he had not left by yesterday," the publication had indicated overlooking the previous clarification.
Photos seen by Kenyans.co.ke show the Senator in his Nairobi office holding the Thursday newspaper - making it evident that he had not travelled.
In his blast, Sakaja termed the inclusion of his name and image in the story as an attempt not to "allow facts to get in the way of a good story".
[caption caption="The conversation between Sakaja and the reporter"]
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Following the complaint by the Senator, the newspaper changed the story in its digital platform acknowledging that Sakaja would not be travelling.
"Senators were to be led by Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi) but he cancelled his travel to deal with other issues affecting Nairobi," the newspaper corrected the edition.
