NAIROBI, Kenya – The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has condemned the continued smear campaign by The Standard Newspapers targeting the party’s leader, Raila Odinga, and his family.
The ODM leadership has expressed concern over the media house’s sustained efforts to discredit and undermine the patriotic contributions of Raila Odinga, highlighting his acts of sacrifice, nationalism, and commitment to Kenya’s progress.
In a statement issued 5 May, 2025, ODM criticized the narrative being pushed by The Standard, which, according to the party, is designed to distort the image of Raila Odinga and his family, especially as they continue to play critical roles in the political landscape.
The party claims that the media group is engaged in a deliberate attempt to negate Odinga’s long history of service to the nation, at great personal risk.
“We are alarmed and shocked by the relentless smear campaign being waged against Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, which now extends to his family. This attack aims to erase his selfless contributions to Kenya’s development and the sacrifices he has made for the betterment of our nation,” said Oduor Ong’wen, ODM’s Executive Director.
The party referred to an article published in The Standard’s May 5 edition, titled “Our Turn to Eat,” which highlighted the prominent roles of Odinga’s relatives in the government, following the agreement between Raila Odinga and President William Ruto in March 2025.
The article alleged that Raila Odinga was using national crises for personal gain, by placing his relatives in high-level government positions.
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In response to the growing public concern over the smear campaign, ODM assured its supporters that a comprehensive statement would be issued on May 6, 2025, to address the issue in detail and provide guidance on the party’s future relationship with The Standard Group.
“We will provide a clear direction on how we will handle the media’s baseless attacks. We ask our supporters to remain calm and united, as we continue to uphold the values of justice and integrity that our leader, Raila Odinga, has always stood for,” Ong’wen added.
