Ministry of Defence Dismisses Coup Allegations by Nation Media as False, Misleading , and Reckless
Nairobi, Kenya. The Ministry of Defence has strongly refuted claims made in recent media reports suggesting that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga played a role in preventing a military coup against President William Ruto.
In a press release issued on March 17, 2025, the Ministry condemned the reports as false, misleading, and reckless.
The articles in question, published by the Sunday Nation and Taifa Jumapili, alleged that Raila Odinga, in an exclusive interview, stated he had intervened to stop a coup attempt against President Ruto. The reports, which cited an undisclosed source, have now been dismissed as unverified and irresponsible journalism.
Ministry’s Strong Rebuttal
The Ministry of Defence categorically stated that the claims made in the newspaper articles are “false, baseless, unfounded, misleading, and indeed reckless.” It further emphasized that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is a professional and apolitical institution dedicated to upholding national security with the highest standards of integrity and discipline.
“KDF remains unwavering in its loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief and its duty to safeguard the security and well-being of Kenya and her people, free from political influence or sectarian interests,” the statement read.
Concerns Over Media Ethics
Beyond rejecting the allegations, the Ministry also criticized the Nation Media Group for publishing such claims without verification. It described the reporting as “irresponsible and unpatriotic,” accusing the media house of prioritizing sensationalism over journalistic integrity.
“The publication of the articles by Nation Media Group, based on unverified claims from an undisclosed source, is not only irresponsible and unpatriotic but also a clear example of sensational reporting aimed at increasing readership rather than upholding journalistic integrity,” the Ministry stated.
The Defence Ministry has urged the media to uphold ethical journalism standards, stressing the importance of accuracy, fairness, and responsibility, especially when reporting on sensitive matters like national security.
