Govt Warns Kenyans Over Standard Newspaper's 'Lies Getting Bigger' Headline

Amidst the bold newspaper headlines from The Standard, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei has warned members of the public against consuming content from media outlets known to spread misinformation and propaganda.

In a short statement on Thursday, May 8, Sing’Oei accused certain Kenyan media outlets of straying from the truth and pushing propaganda intended to tarnish the government’s image.

The PS became the latest government official to take offence at The Standard's hard-hitting headlines, this one being 'Lies Getting Bigger', seen as a direct attack on President William Ruto's administration.

"When the media morphs from truth-seeking into political propagandists and information anarchists, the population must be more circumspect in the consumption of media content," wrote Sing'Oei on his X account.

The PS was responding to Lawyer Ekuru Aukot, who praised the media outlet for its “bold” headline, which took aim at President Ruto for allegedly misleading Kenyans.

In his statement, Aukot backed The Standard newspaper’s critical headline and took a jab at the President, even proposing that the message be translated into multiple local languages so that all Kenyans could grasp its significance.

"The bigger question remains whether my fellow Kenyans now appreciate that President William Ruto is simply a lying president and that his government is a failed regime," he commented, adding, "Should the Standard Media translate its headlines into vernacular language for Kenyans to internalise?"

In its piece titled ‘Lies Getting Bigger’, the media outlet called out President Ruto for allegedly claiming he planned to meet a man who, as reported by The Standard, died back in 2017.

The outlet stated that during his Narok visit on Wednesday, May 7, Ruto mentioned plans to meet Isaiah Cheluget regarding a farm dispute. However, records show Cheluget passed away in June 2017 at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu.

The media outlet, as of Thursday, May 8, shared a clip of President Ruto making those remarks on its social media accounts to back up what was published in the newspaper, which has since gained significant traction.

President Ruto's remark about meeting deceased Isaiah Cheluget over Narok farm sparks questions, as Cheluget passed away in June 2017 at Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu.

Video by Kennedy Gachui. pic.twitter.com/jWTE960j6o — The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) May 8, 2025

The Standard newspaper has gained a reputation for throwing jabs at high-profile politicians and government officials, who have expressed outrage in response. Just four days ago, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga slammed the media house over the 'Our Turn to Eat' headline.

ODM promised to issue a comprehensive statement on Tuesday, May 6, detailing guidance on its relationship with the Standard Group Limited. However, that statement is yet to be released by the time of publishing this article.

The party's executive Director, Oduor Ong'wen, issued a preliminary statement on Monday, May 5, in response to the newspaper story, which highlighted that several of Raila Odinga’s relatives had secured senior government appointments following a political agreement between Odinga and President Ruto in March.

The Standard Group was accused of orchestrating a smear campaign targeting Odinga and his family, with Ong'wen condemning the campaign, stating that it undermined, discredited, and damaged Odinga’s public image.