The Ministry of Defense has refuted recent articles published by a local media outlet that claimed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga prevented a military coup against President William Ruto.
In a media statement on Monday, the Ministry of Defence described the claims as “false, baseless, unfounded, misleading, and indeed reckless.”
According to the Ministry, the articles, titled “Raila: I Saved Ruto from Military Coup” in the Sunday Nation and “Niiivyozima Mapinduzi Dhidi ya Ruto” in Taifa Jumapili, were published on March 16, 2025, and cited an unknown source.
The Ministry emphasized that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is a professional and apolitical institution dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity, discipline, and national service.
“The Kenya Defence Forces remain unwavering in their loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief and their duty to safeguard the security and wellbeing of Kenya and her people, free from political influence or sectarian interests,” the statement read.
The Ministry condemned the media outlet for publishing unverified claims, describing the articles as “irresponsible and unpatriotic.”
The outlet was accused of using sensationalized reporting to increase readership, rather than following ethical journalism standards.
“The publication of these articles, based on unverified claims from an undisclosed source, is a clear example of sensational reporting that undermines journalistic integrity,” the Ministry stated.
