Junet demands apology from Standard over 'defamatory' article

By Newsflash Writer

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed has demanded a public apology and retraction from the Standard newspaper over an article he says falsely linked him to embezzlement and betrayal surrounding the Azimio Coalition’s 2022 presidential campaign.

Through Prof Tom Ojienda & Associates Advocates, Junet issued a demand letter dated January 6, 2026, accusing the media house of publishing “scandalous, reckless and malicious” content that gravely damaged his reputation. The letter was addressed to Standard Group PLC’s top management and the journalists involved in the story.

According to the demand, the publication violated Junet’s constitutional rights to dignity and reputation and crossed the line between legitimate political critique and outright defamation.

‘Traitor’ label at the centre of dispute

At the heart of the dispute is a front-page article in the January 6 edition of the Standard headlined “The Die-Hard Traitor”. The story, authored by journalists Irene Githinji, Edwin Nyarangi and Harold Odhiambo, portrayed Junet as a politically disloyal figure accused by fellow ODM leaders of betraying party interests.

The article alleged that for nearly 15 years, Junet had positioned himself at the centre of key political moments, sometimes “mortifying himself” to sell the agenda of unnamed “masters” to the public. The publication further suggested that he was facing backlash within ODM, including being likened to biblical betrayer Judas Iscariot.

Junet’s lawyers argue that the words, in their ordinary meaning, portrayed him as a traitor, dishonest individual and morally unprincipled politician serving shadowy interests rather than the public good. They contend that the portrayal was calculated to expose him to public hatred, ridicule and contempt.

The letter states that branding a sitting Minority Leader in the National Assembly as a traitor without factual basis amounts to “character assassination of the most egregious kind,” rather than fair journalism.

Allegations of covert dealings and absenteeism

The demand letter also takes issue with follow-up articles published on pages 6 and 8 of the same edition. One of the stories claimed Junet had acted as a covert political agent during the 2022 elections, allegedly reassuring Azimio leader Raila Odinga over the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission before “disappearing” and later resurfacing to continue “brokering business.”

Junet’s legal team describes these claims as entirely fabricated, accusing the newspaper of portraying him as a dishonest political broker engaged in shadowy dealings without any supporting evidence.

Another article accused Junet of being an absentee Member of Parliament whose constituents were dissatisfied with his performance. According to the demand letter, this depiction was false and malicious, and was designed to erode public confidence in his leadership and constitutional role as Suna East MP.

The lawyers argue that the decision to splash the allegations on the front page and amplify them across multiple pages demonstrated express malice and reckless disregard for accuracy and fairness.

Legal ultimatum to Standard Group

Citing Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution, Junet’s advocates acknowledge the protection of media freedom but stress that such freedom does not extend to falsehoods or defamation. They argue that responsible journalism requires adherence to truth, accuracy and fairness.

The letter demands an immediate and unequivocal retraction of the articles published on the front page and pages 6, 7 and 8, as well as a full public apology in the Standard newspaper and on all its digital platforms, with equal prominence to the offending stories.

In addition, the media house is required to provide a written undertaking that it will refrain from publishing any further defamatory references, direct or implied, about Junet.

The advocates have given Standard Group seven days to comply, warning that failure to do so will trigger legal proceedings seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages, permanent injunctive relief, and costs.

As of publication, Standard Group had not publicly responded to the demand.

This is the second demand letter in a span of days, following a similar notice by Prophet David Owuor of the Holiness and Repentance Ministries to Nation Media Group over alleged “misleading” reports on miraculous healing claims during a recent mega-crusade in Nakuru.