Raila Goes After Standard Newspaper Over ‘Demeaning’ Headline Targeting Odinga Family
The Orange Democratic Movement has criticized the Standard Media Group for launching ‘smear campaigns’ against the party’s leader, Raila Odinga, and his family.
In a statement released on Monday, May 5, the Party’s executive Director, Oduor Ong’wen, stated that the Standard Group’s campaign undermined, demeaned, and damaged Odinga’s reputation.
This comes after a newspaper feature in today’s edition of The Standard with the heading ‘Our Turn to Eat‘.
According to the narrative, several of Odinga’s relatives have gotten high-level governmental employment as a result of an arrangement reached between Raila and Ruto in March.
Oduor said that the news story was improper, particularly given Odinga’s ‘huge personal danger’ for the sake of the nation.
“The Orange Democratic Movement has taken note of the sustained smear campaign by The Standard Newspapers against the Party’s leader, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, and which has now been extended against his entire family,” he stated.
Smear campaign by the Standard Media… pic.twitter.com/qpe6zZRDTh
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) May 5, 2025
“We note that The Standard is determined to negate, demean, and destroy the known acts of sacrifice, nationalism, and patriotism that Rt. Hon. Odinga has undertaken at great personal risk to himself and his family, for the betterment of this nation,” he added.
Ong’wen stated that the party will publish a full statement on Tuesday, May 6, defining the next steps in its relationship with the media group.
The publication featured images of Raila alongside his brother, Oburu Odinga, and his daughter, Winnie Odinga, among other relatives, as well as their respective jobs in government.
According to the narrative, despite Raila’s claims that he is fighting for the people, he has always used national crises to enrich himself and those around him.
“He has long branded himself as the people’s champion, ‘Baba’ – the voice of the downtrodden,” it stated.
“But time and again, Raila Odinga has turned moments of national crisis into personal political capital with rewards for his inner circle. Is this statesmanship or strategic self-interest activism?”
It is not the first time that the political ecosystem has slammed the media house for its hard-hitting splashes.
READ MORE:
- 3 Suspected Abductors Arrested, Detained In Murang’a
- Gov’t To Close Down Kameme, 23 Stations For Violating New Regulations
- Cheluget Family Confirms Being In Talks With Gov’t Over Disputed Land
- ‘I am Not A UDA Project!’ – MP Salasya Says
- Sakaja’s Nairobi County Evicts Woodley Tenants Over Unpaid Arrears
Earlier this year, President William Ruto castigated the newspaper over a bold front-page splash that projected that the partnership between the president and Raila was a betrayal of Kenyans.
“You can see today we are seated here—Azimio and Kenya Kwanza governments. The unity we are pushing in Kenya is divine and God-ordained,” Ruto remarked.
“That is how we can be blessed as a nation—if we are united. How shameful and tragic, while the bishop is telling us that nothing is impossible when we are united,” he added.
“The devil has a different message against unity in our nation. May the devil be defeated.”
Raila Goes After Standard Newspaper Over ‘Demeaning’ Headline Targeting Odinga Family
