NAIROBI, Kenya — The High Court has issued a temporary injunction restraining the Standard Group PLC from publishing, broadcasting, or distributing reports linking President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, to a controversial KSh 2.8 billion police uniform procurement tender.
The order follows a defamation lawsuit filed by Charlene Ruto’s legal team, who argue that the media house published malicious, unverified, and highly damaging fabrications intended to injure her reputation.
The Source of the Dispute
The legal battle stems from recent publications by The Standard media outlets, which alleged that Charlene Ruto benefited from or influenced a multi-billion shilling tender to supply uniforms to the National Police Service.
Her legal team strongly refuted the claims, stating she has no involvement in state procurement processes or the garment industry, labeling the reporting as sensationalized and irresponsible journalism.
Defense and Government Clarifications
In tandem with the legal filings, official procurement details have emerged to counter the reports:
- The Actual Awardee: The National Police Service clarified that the KSh 2.8 billion contract was legally awarded to Bedi Investments Limited, a long-established local textile manufacturer.
- No Material Involvement: Records indicate that neither Charlene Ruto nor any entities associated with her participated in the bidding process, nor did they receive any payouts from the state department.
Strict Court Directives
The presiding judge ordered the Standard Group to immediately halt further coverage of the specific allegations across all its print, broadcast, and digital platforms. Additionally, the media house was directed to pull down existing online articles or append visible corrective notices to them pending a full hearing.
The Standard Group has been granted seven days to file its response to the suit. The matter is scheduled for mention on October 19, 2026, to check on compliance and determine the next steps for the hearing.
