Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has threatened legal action against the Nation Media Group (NMG) following a controversial article published on Tuesday, November 26, claiming the government plans to acquire “spying software” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement shared on the National Treasury’s X account, PS Kiptoo dismissed the allegations made in the article titled “Ruto Men Sued Over ‘Classified’ Spying Software” as “false and misleading.”
The article features Kiptoo’s image and accuses the government of scheming to use classified technology for propaganda purposes in the upcoming elections.
He denied any involvement or knowledge of the alleged plans and rejected claims that “confidential accounts” within the Treasury would be used to fund such an operation.
“These allegations are unfounded. No such accounts exist, and the operations of the National Treasury are governed by strict legal and regulatory frameworks that ensure transparency and accountability,” stated PS Kiptoo
The PS also refuted allegations of his connection to a petition reportedly filed against government officials over the alleged procurement.
“I have never met or interacted with the individual who is said to have filed this lawsuit,” he said.
Kiptoo criticized the media house for including his photograph on the article’s cover, asserting that it wrongfully implicated him and defamed his character. He called on NMG to unpublish the story and issue an immediate public apology for what he described as “reckless and defamatory reporting.”
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“It is deeply concerning that the newspaper would publish such a misleading article without due diligence,” Kiptoo added.
He spoke on the need for all media outlets to adhere to the highest journalistic standards, as stipulated in the Media Council Act and the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya.
In a strongly worded statement, Kiptoo warned NMG that failure to take corrective action would compel him to seek legal redress.
“We strongly refute the inaccurate and misleading allegations made in today’s paper. Such claims lack a factual basis and risk spreading misinformation. We urge Nation Media Group to verify such information before publication to uphold journalistic integrity,” he warned
By Nairobinews