Defence ministry denies Raila’s coup claim
The Kenya Defence Forces.
The Ministry of Defence has refuted claims by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga published in the Sunday Nation and Taifa Jumapili that he saved President William Ruto from a military coup during the Gen Z protests last year.
In a statement, the ministry criticised the article in which Mr Odinga, citing undisclosed source, claimed he had prevented a military coup against President Ruto.
“The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is a professional and apolitical institution committed to the highest standards of integrity, discipline, and service to the nation,” the statement noted.
“KDF remains unwavering in its loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief and its duty to safeguard the security and wellbeing of Kenya and her people, free from political influence or sectarian interests,” added the statement.
In an interview with Sunday Nation, Mr Odinga said that a friend, whom he opted not to name, got wind of a plan of handover of power when the President called in the military to reinforce the overwhelmed police during the June 25, 2024 protests.
The ODM leader claimed the friend asked him to urgently intervene to prevent such an eventuality.
“Ruto can be removed through the ballot, but once soldiers get out of the barracks, they never go back,” Mr Odinga said, justifying his decision to support President Ruto’s government, culminating in a formal cooperation agreement.
But the ministry denied these reports.
“The Ministry categorically states that the claims in the newspaper articles (In Sunday Nation and Taifa Jumapili) are false, baseless, unfounded, misleading and indeed reckless,” the statement read in part.
The two stories titled “Raila: I save Ruto from Military Coup" and “Nilivyozima Mapinduzi Dhidi ya Ruto” were published on Sunday, March 16, 2025, following an exclusive interview with Mr Odinga.
For publishing the story, the military, which failed to mention Mr Odinga, accused Nation Media Group, of “basing its articles on unverified claims from an undisclosed source” and categorised the articles as sensational reporting.