ODM party leader Raila Odinga during the party's NEC meeting. Photo: ODM X.
The Orange Democratic Party Movement (ODM) party has dismissed claims by the Standard Newspaper that its party leader Raila Odinga is losing his popularity in his strong hold Nyanza region.
In a statement released by the party’s chairperson Gladys Wanga, accused the paper for constantly reporting the diminishing popularity of Odinga, as misinterpretation of facts, citing the missing of Odinga at Albert Ojwang’s funeral yesterday.
“This portrayal function of the late Albert Ojwang’s funeral as a contestation for popularity is unnatural, detestable, and a disservice to the truth, the very maxim upon which the media operates,” Wanga stated.
Wanga blasted the Standard for failing to keep up on its role of factual reporting, by shunning the truth on the unity witnessed during the funeral, at Ojwang’s home in Kabondo Kasipul.
“The funeral was a national event, a cross-generational event that united like-minded Kenyans in pain over a budding life cut short. It drew attendees from every corner of the country, from the coast, where Albert was educated and worked, to Nairobi, where he lost his life in police custody, to Homabay, his ancestral home,” she asserted.
Wanga reinforced the contribution made by Odinga in the fight for democracy in the country, describing him as distinguished statesman, whose contribution cannot be ignored. His fight for a just Kenya and bridging divides in the country.
She reinforced the popularity not of Odinga but the ODM party across the country with the party’s grassroot election conducted recently across the country reaffirmed the party as remaining strong in Kenya.
“The continuous sensationalism and negativity at him do not just misinterpret him; they undermine his legacy and the values he stands for. As a party, we remain cognizant of media freedom, and the role of the media to inform the public. We however, take great exception to salacious and misleading headlines,” she stated.
Earlier the party had called out The Standard for labelling Odinga as the betrayer of the Gen Z movement , as the core beneficiary of the movement and the struggle as his people were picked in various ministries of the Kenya Kwanza government.
