NTV Abruptly Cuts Dennis Itumbi's Interview

Nation Media Group (NMG) TV station, NTV, suddenly cut short an interview featuring digital strategist Dennis Itumbi who was moments away from revealing more details on claims that Deputy President William Ruto's aide, Davis Chirchir, was arrested at the Bomas of Kenya.

Itumbi had earlier stated that Chirchir was arrested alongside UDA Communications Director Wanjohi Githae at Bomas on his social media platforms, which had sparked an uproar.

"UDA Communications Director Wanjohi Githae and DP William Ruto Chief Of Staff Davis Chirchir arrested/ kidnapped at Bomas," he stated.

DP William Ruto and his Chief Of Staff Davis Chirchir. /FILE

Speaking at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) on Thursday, August 11, Itumbi claimed that DP Ruto's ally was picked up by police at the centre, which serves as the national vote tallying centre for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Just as he was about to expound, the TV station cut his interview and went back to the main broadcast at its Nation Centre in Nairobi.

After his initial claims, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator-elect, Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen stated that Chirchir was okay.

Weighing in on his sentiments was Senator Aaron Cheruiyot who however claimed that there was a plot to arrest him.

"Davis Chirchir is fine and okay. The desperate outgoing system tried to arrest him for unknown reasons as he was leaving Bomas.

"Thanks to vigilant members of the public who came to his rescue. When it is the final day of the monkey, all trees are slippery," he stated.

Itumbi then stated on Facebook that "Wanjohi Githae and Davis Chirchir released and about to address a Press Conference at Bomas of Kenya..."

The duo then updated their followers on social media noting that they were fine and at Bomas, with a section of their followers, including KTN News' Ali Manzu, affirming their sentiments and sharing photos of them at the premises.

Itumbi had earlier claimed that DP Ruto was leading in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) results tally projecting a win over his opponent, Raila Odinga of the Azimio la Umoja coalition. His results indicated that Ruto was likely to beat Raila by over 238,024 votes.

He noted that Ruto had amassed 7,158,108 votes ahead of Raila's 6,920,084 votes drawn from 46,136 polling stations which had submitted their Form 34As. He however revealed that the total number of polling stations across the country was 46,233.

"99.79 per cent Forms downloaded, compared, published and verified. A screenshot of the internal System. William Ruto: 7,158,108 (50.5%), Raila: 6,920,084 (48.8%). Meanwhile, we have opened up access to our Tallying Centre to media," he stated.

However, fact checks by Viral Tea on the IEBC portal reveal that the country has just 46,229 polling stations. As of Thursday, August 11 at 10.38 pm, 46,198 polling stations had submitted their Form 34As, translating to 99.93 per cent.

A live update of Form 34As submitted to the IEBC portal as of August 11, 2022. /IEBC