Dennis Itumbi, the ICT Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) has called for an "unequivocal public apology" from Nation Media Group regarding an allegedly defamatory article published in Taifa Leo and Sunday Nation newspapers.
Itumbi is deeply upset by the publication of these two editions, which claimed that CASs had assumed office despite a court order prohibiting them from doing so.
On March 24, 2023, the High Court issued an injunction preventing the fifty CASs from assuming their roles until the court heard and made a decision on a lawsuit filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Katiba Institute.
Itumbi's lawyer, Adrian Kamotho Njenga stated that it was abundantly clear that Nation Media Group was relentlessly trying to tarnish his client's image by publishing baseless allegations in order to depict him as a renegade who disregards the law.
“Self-evidently, the Nation Media Group is on a relentless pursuit to demonize our client by publishing miserable non-starters simply to portray our client as rogue and disrespectful to the law,” Njenga said.
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Consequently, the Digital strategist has threatened to take legal action against NMG should they fail to comply with his demand by May 26, 2023.
Njenga further claimed NMG’s stories which he termed unfounded have severely damaged Itumbi’s reputation and caused significant harm to his standing.
“Your bogus stories have seriously damaged our client’s reputation and brought tremendous misfortune to his status,” Njenga said.
Both publications in question specifically mentioned Itumbi's involvement in coordinating preparations for the upcoming Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1, 2023, in Embu County.
Itumbi dismissed these publications as an attempt at character assassination of his person and clarified his involvement in numerous activities unrelated to his government position.
Njenga also said his client has never violated the terms of any court order, as absurdly insinuated by the publication or any valid court order throughout his lifetime and, emphasised that NMG's failure to act would have consequences.
Furthermore, Itumbi demands a commitment from NMG to permanently refrain from defaming him or publishing falsehoods about him.