Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga Files Complaint Against KTN, Standard Over Violence Reports
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has formally lodged a complaint with the Media Council of Kenya, accusing KTN and The Standard newspaper of publishing fabricated and unverified reports concerning violence that occurred during the Linda Mwananchi rally on August 16.
In a letter seen by this publication, Wanga said the reports — aired on KTN on Sunday, September 6, and published in The Standard on Monday, September 7 — contained what she termed as prejudicial allegations that directly assailed her character and the integrity of her office.
Governor Alleges Breach of Journalistic Standards
“I am writing to formally bring to the attention of the Media Council of Kenya a broadcast aired by KTN on September 6, 2026, and published in the Standard Newspaper on September 7, 2026, concerning the events of August 16, 2026, in Homa Bay. The report made and ventilated fabricated, unverified, and highly prejudicial allegations that directly assailed my character and the integrity of the office I serve,” Wanga stated.
She clarified that her complaint is not aimed at restricting legitimate media scrutiny but rather targets what she called a failure by the media houses to independently verify serious allegations before presenting them to the public.
“My concern is not with legitimate media scrutiny; I welcome accountability and open public discourse. However, KTN and the Standard severely violated basic journalistic standards by presenting unverified allegations in a manner that creates a false and deliberate impression,” she added.
Front Page Photograph Under Scrutiny
The Governor specifically took issue with a photograph published on the front page of The Standard on September 7 showing an armed man wielding a machete. Wanga alleges that the man has been identified as a Siaya County employee, stating that his presence at the scene raised questions about the involvement of external actors in the violence.
“The presence of a weapon-wielding officer from a neighbouring county at the scene of the conflict in Homa Bay clearly demonstrates that these acts were perpetrated by external agents,” Wanga claimed.
She also accused KTN of failing to adequately broadcast her administration’s response to the allegations, despite her office providing a clear and substantive reply.
Background of the Reports
The Standard investigative piece discussed the events and chaos that transpired during the Linda Mwananchi rally when Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders visited the county.
The report exposed an alleged network of financiers and local coordinators behind organised goons. Whistleblowers and anonymous sources in the exposé claimed that the perpetrators held coordination meetings prior to the rally, alleging assurance of protection and alignment with local political and security networks.
What Governor Wanga Is Seeking
In her complaint, Wanga asked the Media Council to review the KTN broadcast and The Standard report against the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism. She also wants the Council to:
- Direct the media outlets to issue an immediate and prominent retraction and unconditional apology
- Take appropriate disciplinary action
“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 said.
About KTN and The Standard
KTN (Kenya Television Network) is Kenya’s first private television station, established in 1989 and launched in 1990. It is owned by the Standard Group and operates multiple channels including KTN Home and KTN News, with a market share consistently ranked among the top three in Kenya .
The Standard is Kenya’s leading newspaper and is also owned by the Standard Media Group, which describes itself as providing “the most accurate, credible, bold, entertaining instant news” .
Media Council of Kenya’s Role
The Media Council of Kenya is the statutory body responsible for regulating media standards in the country. Under the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism, media outlets are required to uphold standards relating to accuracy, fairness, the right of reply, and accountability in reporting.
The Council has been evolving from being solely a regulator to also supporting capacity building for journalists and community media, while maintaining its constitutional mandate of enforcing ethical standards .
Key Takeaways
- ⚖️ Governor Wanga has lodged a formal complaint with the Media Council of Kenya
- 📺 KTN and The Standard are accused of publishing fabricated and unverified allegations
- 📸 A front-page photo of a machete-wielding man is central to the complaint
- 🗣️ Wanga claims her administration’s response was not adequately broadcast
- 📜 She is seeking a retraction, apology, and disciplinary action
- 🏛️ The Media Council will review the reports against the Code of Conduct