Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a forceful response to the Nation Media Group following a contentious article published in today’s edition of the Daily Nation.
The article suggested that Gachagua was in the process of forming a new political party, The New Democrats (TND), to serve as his platform for the 2027 general election.
DP Gachagua interacts with school-going kid
The Deputy President’s office, through a press statement signed by Njeri Rugene, Head of the Deputy Presidential Communication Service, vehemently denied these allegations.
The statement described the story as “one-sided, false and concocted,” accusing the Daily Nation of harbouring malicious intent.
According to the statement, associating the Deputy President with another political party, particularly one with questionable associations, was done in bad faith.
DP Rigathi Gachagua
This act, the statement argued, was intended to undermine Gachagua’s role as the Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“The attention of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been drawn to an article published in the Daily Nation Newspaper and its Digital platform, www.nation.africa headlined: *Gachagua seeks new party amid falling-out with Ruto* and *Ruto-Gachagua tiff: DP Gachagua in search of new political outfit*, respectively, on 29 May 2024,” the statement began.
“This one-sided false and concocted story is laced with innuendos and malice. To associate His Excellency the Deputy President with another political party, especially one with questionable association can only have been done in bad faith, with the sole intention of undermining His Excellency’s role as the Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party.
DP Gachagua addressing supporters
“It is deliberately intended to disparage and attack the integrity of His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” the statement continued.
The press release further criticised the article for violating journalistic standards, emphasising that professional journalism requires objectivity, balance, and fairness. It stated, “The article also clearly violates the tenets of professional journalism that demand objectivity, balance, and fairness.”
In response, the Deputy President’s office demanded an immediate retraction of the article and an apology from the Nation Media Group. The retraction and apology, the statement insisted, should be given the same prominence as the original article.
This letter was also copied to Mr David Omwoyo, CEO of the Media Council of Kenya, highlighting the seriousness with which the Deputy President’s office regards this issue.
The office’s strong rebuttal underscores the ongoing tension between political figures and media entities in Kenya, reflecting broader concerns about media integrity and the ethical responsibilities of journalists.
