Waiguru’s ‘media gurus’ deny pocketing Sh10m from NYS loot
Two journalists claimed to have pocketed Sh10 million from the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal have denied receiving the amount.
Reporters Mwaniki Munuhe of Standard newspaper and Kamore Maina of Star newspaper both distanced themselves from the claims made by businesswoman Jospehine Kabura.
Ms Kabura, in an affidavit, claimed the two journalists were the ‘media gurus’ of former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru in the Sh791 million scandal at the NYS.
APOLOGY
Mr Munuhe’s lawyer however demanded that Ms Kabura retracts her statement and apologises by close of business on Wednesday.
In a letter dated February 16, Mr Munuhe’s lawyer said the allegations injured the reporter’s personal and professional standing.
“The false, wrongful and malicious words constitute a serious affront on the character, standing and reputation of our client which he has built painstakingly and scrupulously for years through hard work and commitment,” the letter stated in part.
Star newspaper defended its reporter Mr Kamore Maina from the allegations, saying it stood by all its stories published on the NYS payments.
NEVER MET
“I have never been to Anne Waiguru’s home and we have never met face to face. If I stood before her today, she would not even be able to say who I am. I have also not received any money from Waiguru, Kabura or anyone else to kill or water down the NYS or any other story,” said Mr Maina.
The statement added that the journalist covered the NYS stories and always informed the editors on materials he was gathering and updated them of all meetings.
“Kamore even went to Kabura’s rural home in Murang’a to seek an interview with her parents. Kabura accused him of harassment and in November sent Kamore a lawyer’s letter warning him to desist from writing about her and the NYS transactions,” read the statement in part.
Star newspaper editor Charles Kerich added that Mr Maina is a trustworthy reporter.