The High Court has issued interim orders barring the Standard Media Group from publishing allegations linking President William Ruto's daughter, Charlene Ruto, to the Ksh2.8 billion procurement contract for the Kenya Police Service's new uniforms.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a ruling on Monday, September 14, the High Court sitting in Milimani Law Courts gave orders stopping the further dissemination of the allegations pending further directions on the matter.

The first daughter had gone to court following repeated public statements by the media house linking her and the family to the police uniforms tender.

Through her lawyers, Charlene argued that the publications were damaging her reputation by creating an image that she had illegally obtained money through public tenders.

📌 What You Need to Know

The petition followed a publication by the Mombasa Road-based media house linking Ruto's family to the deal.

On Friday, August 28, President William Ruto officially launched the new sky-blue uniforms for General Duty Officers following recommendations by the Maraga Task Force on Police Reforms, chaired by former Chief Justice David Maraga, after consultations in which police officers expressed dissatisfaction with the existing uniform and preferred a change.

However, a day later, The Standard newspaper published a report claiming that the Ksh2.8 billion tender had been awarded to Nalitex Limited, linking the company's address to President Ruto's family businesses.

The reports further accused Charlene Ruto of participating in or benefiting from the contract.

However, the police dismissed the claims, clarifying that Nalitex Limited was neither involved nor awarded the contract, stating that the company was non-existent.

According to the police, the contract was awarded through competitive bidding , and the procurement process was conducted in accordance with the law.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke