Itumbi Goes After Nation Over Headline On CASs

ICT Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dennis Itumbi now threatens to sue the Nation Media Group (NMG) over a headline published in two of its newspapers that he claimed had ruined his reputation.

Through Adrian Komotho Njenga and Co. Advocates, Itumbi raised concerns over the stories centring on CAS posts, with one dubbed "Mibabe ya Ukaidi (Stubborn Tyrants)" published on Taifa Leo on Sunday, May 21 and the Sunday Nation story dubbed "Impunity of CASs at work despite court order".

The two stories detailed how CASs assumed office despite a court order barring them. Taifa Leo in particular had placed his image on the front page.

Inside Nation Media Group offices. /FILE

Itumbi specifically claimed that he was singled out for his involvement in leading government officials in the preparations of the Madaraka Day celebrations. 

The lawyer also poked holes in the publications which claimed that all the tasks, activities and roles that he undertook are duties reserved for the position of CAS.

The CAS claimed that the publication painted a picture that he is desperate to hold the CAS office whereas without it, his life would collapse.

"Our client's profile, which he has laboured so hard to build and sustain has been gravely tarnished," Itumbi stated.

According to the CAS, the stories are defamatory in nature and are not factual as presented by the two publications.

As such, he is calling for NMG to immediately retract all the statements he termed as false by the regional media house which imply or state directly or indirectly any derogation of his character and reputation, giving a 48-hour ultimatum to do so.

Itumbi also sought an unequivocal public apology from NMG with the same prominence as the offending publications, and a commitment from NMG to forever cease and desist from further publishing content likely to hurt his image. 

He warned that should NMG fail to meet his demands, he would take legal proceedings over the matter.

Itumbi was among 50 CASs sworn in on March 23, 2023, in an event presided by President William Ruto.

However, they were stopped the following day from assuming office, with Justice Hedwig Ongu’ndi of the High Court of Kenya barring them from assuming office on Friday, March 24 pending the determination of a case filed by the Law Society of Kenya and Katiba Institute. 

President Ruto however defended the appointment of the CASs, referring to a huge workload to fulfil the promises he made during his campaigns.

“On appointing CAS that’s the plan of my government. It’s my decision and I see the need for CAS to be there in my government."

“Today my deputy is almost sleeping in the office. Even Musalia is losing weight nowadays because of work. I need more workers because the agenda of changing Kenya requires more hands and minds,” Ruto stated during a joint media interview on May 14, 2023.