Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has denied media reports that he has been sued over an alleged plan to acquire classified spying software.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kiptoo said the article published by the Daily Nation newspaper was misleading.
“I wish to respond to the inaccurate and misleading story published in today’s Daily Nation under the headline “Ruto Men Sued Over ‘Classified’ Spying Software”.
“The article features my image and implicates me in an alleged government plan to acquire classified technology for propaganda purposes. These allegations are absolutely unfounded,” said Kiptoo.
The Treasury PS noted that he has never met with Ms. Mary Wachuka Maina, the individual alleged to have filed a lawsuit on the matter adding that he has no knowledge of her claims or of any plans by the government to procure the equipment described.
“Second, the article claims that “confidential accounts” exist within the National Treasury, from which funds would allegedly be allocated for the purported scheme. This is entirely untrue. No such accounts exist, and the operations of the National Treasury are governed by strict legal and regulatory frameworks that ensure transparency and accountability,” Kiptoo added.
He pointed out that the Daily Newspaper defamed him by using his photograph on its front page in the story.
“I take great exception to the Daily Nation’s decision to place my photograph on its front page alongside this unsubstantiated story. By doing so, the newspaper has defamed me by implication, creating a false association between myself and the allegations,” he added.
Kiptoo demanded that the media house responsible for the article retract the report and issue a public apology.
He threatened to take legal action, should the affected publishers fail to meet his demand.
“I wish to respectfully demand an immediate retraction of the story and a public apology for the harm caused to my reputation and character. Should the newspaper fail to take corrective action, I reserve the right to pursue all legal remedies available to protect my name,” Kiptoo added.
Media reports emerged on Tuesday that the government was planning to acquire a software to counter hostility against the Kenya Kwanza administration on digital platforms.
The government was to spend Ksh120 million to buy the software from American owners and a Kenyan with links to a Canadian company was allegedly involved in the failed deal.
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