Renowned ODM Politician Files Complaint Against NTV After Yesterday's Orengo Interview

Nairobi County Assembly Member Robert Alai has lodged a formal complaint with the Media Council of Kenya against NTV Kenya. 

He accuses the station of spreading false information through a promotional post about an interview with Siaya Governor James Orengo.

The controversy began with a social media post on December 29, 2025. NTV claimed Orengo would reveal the identities of powerful individuals allegedly trying to "sell ODM" during a 9:00 PM interview hosted by David Muthoka. 

The promo included a banner titled "Orengo's Broad Revelations" and quickly attracted public attention.

Alai says the actual interview did not match the hype. Orengo explicitly stated, "For the moment, they remain unnamed. 

There are people who are going out of their way to try to get ODM into agreements that do not make sense." No identities were exposed and no evidence was shared. Alai describes the promo as misleading and inconsistent with the interview.

In his complaint, Alai cites multiple breaches of journalistic ethics. He mentions Clause 1 (Accuracy and Fairness) and Clause 7 (Headlines and Promos) of Kenya’s Code of Conduct for Journalism. He also refers to Sections 6 and 26 of the Media Council Act, 2013, which allow sanctions for ethical violations.

Alai also points out constitutional and international standards. He invokes Article 33(2) against propaganda, Article 34(5) on media accountability, UNESCO principles of professional journalism, the African Charter on Democracy, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

He calls NTV’s actions a "calculated betrayal of trust," especially with political tensions rising ahead of the 2027 elections. Alai warns that false claims could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and spark unrest.

Alai requests that the Media Council investigate NTV independently. He seeks sanctions including a public apology, retraction, immediate corrections on all platforms, and possible ethical training for staff handling pre-recorded content promotions.

The case highlights concerns about media sensationalism in Kenya. With ODM experiencing internal challenges after Raila Odinga’s death, Alai’s complaint emphasizes accountability. NTV has not responded publicly, but the Media Council is expected to review the petition quickly.