ODM leader Raila Odinga./FILE
Opposition leader Raila Odinga is set to issue a comprehensive statement on a purported smear campaign against him by a local daily.
A statement from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said Raila will issue the statement on Tuesday.
Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen said the party said it had noted with concern the sustained smear campaign, which it said has now been extended against Raila’s entire family.
Ong’wen said the paper “is determined to negate, demean, and destroy the known acts of sacrifice, nationalism, and patriotism that Odinga has undertaken at great personal risk to him and family for the betterment of this nation.”
ODM assured party supporters, who it said have been expressing alarm and shock, that the leadership will be issuing a comprehensive statement and guidance on May 6, 2025.
In March 2023, Raila’s called for mass boycott of the Star newspaper, claiming it was one-sided.
Raila, the country's veteran opposition leader and one of the foremost defenders of free media, accused the newspaper, one of Radio Africa Group's products, of being biased towards Azimio.
Raila later withdrew calls for Kenyans to boycott The Star, stating that the move followed consultations with stakeholders.
"We have agreed to call off our boycott of The Star newspaper. Instead, we have filed a complaint with the Media Council of Kenya with the paper's biases," Raila said.
Raila had asked Kenyans to boycott The Star alongside Kenya Commercial Bank and Safaricom.
The Media Council of Kenya, the sector regulator, had earlier issued a statement condemning the call.
Chief executive David Omwoyo insisted that press freedom is an essential right that allows journalists to report on events, issues and people without fear of censorship or repression.
“Such attacks undermine the freedom of the press and are attempts to undermine the role of the press in freely informing the electorates based on the editorial judgments," Omwoyo said.
