The Ministry of Defence issued a robust statement refuting claims published in the Sunday Nation article titled “Raila: I Saved Ruto from Military Coup.” The article suggested that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga intervened to prevent a military takeover of President William Ruto’s administration during the June 2024 Gen Z protests. The Ministry labeled these allegations as “false, baseless, unfounded, misleading, and reckless,” reaffirming the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) commitment to professionalism and political neutrality.

The Sunday Nation report, based on an exclusive interview with Odinga, claimed that the deployment of military forces to quell the protests could have led to a full military takeover. Odinga was quoted stating that if the military had taken over, President Ruto would not be in power today, emphasizing that once soldiers leave the barracks, they seldom return.

In response, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei criticized the Nation Media Group for sensationalizing national security matters and potentially misquoting Odinga. He called for an apology to the KDF and suggested that Odinga consider legal action against the media house for alleged misrepresentation.

The Ministry’s statement underscores the importance of accurate and responsible journalism, especially concerning issues of national security. It reiterates that the KDF remains apolitical and dedicated to its constitutional duties, free from political influence.