Governor Wanga lodges complaint over KTN, Standard documentary on Homa Bay violence
Governor Wanga lodges complaint over KTN, Standard documentary on Homa Bay violence
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has lodged a formal complaint with the Media Council of Kenya over reports by KTN and The Standard concerning the events of August 16, 2026, accusing the media outlets of publishing defamatory and unverified allegations.
In a complaint dated Monday, September 7, Wanga said the KTN broadcast aired on September 6 and the subsequent Standard newspaper report published on September 7 created a false impression about her character and the integrity of the office she serves.
The governor said her objection was not to legitimate media scrutiny, arguing that she supports accountability and open public discourse.
However, Wanga accused the two media outlets of failing to uphold basic journalistic standards in their coverage of the violence.
Wanga questioned a front-page photograph published by The Standard showing an armed individual wielding a machete.
She identified the man as Nicholas Odhiambo Onyando, whom she said is a Siaya County employee serving as a revenue officer in Akala.
Wanga argued that the presence of an armed officer from a neighbouring county at the scene indicated that external agents were involved in the conflict, and accused the media of misleadingly using the incident to implicate her administration.
“Furthermore, despite my office providing a clear and substantive response to these grave claims, KTN failed to reflect it adequately or fairly in its broadcast, effectively denying me my right of reply.
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“My position on the events of 16 August 2026 has been unequivocal and consistent: I unreservedly condemn violence and intimidation in all forms, affirm that every Kenyan has a constitutional right to visit Homa Bay and engage in peaceful assembly, and maintain that the truth must be established through impartial, evidence-based investigation,” she wrote.
Wanga cited sections of the Media Council Act, arguing that the Media Council of Kenya has a statutory responsibility to enforce the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism.
She accused KTN and The Standard of failing to independently verify serious allegations, marginalising her office’s response and airing prejudicial material while the matter remains under official investigation.
“I request the Council to exercise its statutory authority to review this broadcast against the Code of Conduct, direct KTN and the Standard Newspaper to issue an immediate, prominent retraction and unconditional apology, and take appropriate disciplinary action. Public discourse on sensitive matters must be anchored in truth and evidence, not speculative character assassination,” she added.
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