NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 24 — President William Ruto has launched a fresh attack on the Moi family-owned Standard newspaper, accusing the media house of running what he termed a sustained campaign of “extortionist propaganda” against his administration.

In a strongly worded social media post, Ruto claimed the newspaper’s repeated critical headlines were aimed at blackmailing him into yielding to unspecified interests, insisting such efforts would not derail his government’s agenda.

“Moi, your STANDARD media’s 5 days a week EXTORTIONIST propaganda HEADLINES on me & my administration’s transformative track record will get you NOTHING & NOWHERE. BLACKMAIL to yield to your GREED? NEVER,” Ruto posted on Wednesday, reffering to KANU Chairman Gideon Moi.

The President further asserted that Kenya belongs to all citizens and not a select few, daring the media house to intensify its criticism.

“Kenya belongs to all Kenyans, not you alone. Jaribu 8 days a week. Do your WORST,” he added.

The latest remarks escalate a long-running standoff between Ruto and The Standard, one of Kenya’s oldest newspapers, which has frequently published hard-hitting headlines scrutinising the Kenya Kwanza administration’s policies and performance.

Ruto’s renewed clash with Moi comes months after a highly publicised political deal that saw the KANU leader shelve his bid for the Baringo Senate seat following the death of Senator William Cheptumo.

In October 2025, Moi revealed that consultations with President Ruto influenced his decision not to proceed with the by-election, effectively clearing the way for a UDA candidate. At the time, the move was widely interpreted as a sign of growing cooperation between the two leaders after years of political rivalry.

The arrangement drew criticism from opposition figures, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who accused Ruto of using political deals to strengthen his influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at a church service days after Gideon formally aligned himself with the Kenya Kwanza administration, Kalonzo urged the former senator to accept any role offered by Ruto’s government but advised him to part ways with the President before the 2027 election.

Gachagua, on his part, accused Ruto of applying double standards in his pursuit of political alliances.

Ruto’s latest broadside is likely to fuel speculation of strained relations between the two camps after months of uncertainty over appointments reportedly linked to the October 2025 rapprochement.

KANU insiders have previously claimed that some planned appointments stalled amid resistance from sections of the ruling UDA party, although neither side has publicly acknowledged any disagreement.