Kenya Power Board Chairperson Joy Mdivo has come out strongly against The Standard newspaper, threatening legal action over what she calls a false and damaging report.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mdivo said she had spoken to her lawyers and is preparing to sue the media house. This comes after The Standard published screenshots from an alleged WhatsApp group planning ways to disrupt the upcoming June 25 protests.

Mdivo Denies Claims, Calls Them Defamatory

Mdivo firmly denied being part of the group or having any discussions around disrupting protests.

“I belong to no such WhatsApp group, nor have I made such utterances in public or in private,” she wrote. “For The Standard to insinuate that I am planning to kill Kenyans is as untrue as it is defamatory.”

While the article didn’t accuse her directly of organizing violence, her name appeared in a screenshot suggesting involvement in a campaign to label certain media outlets as “genocide media.”

One of the messages attributed to her said:

“That tagline has to go on all the propaganda posters against Citizen.”

Who Is Joy Mdivo?

Aside from her role at Kenya Power, Mdivo is a seasoned advocate of the High Court, a human rights defender, and was once shortlisted for the IEBC chairperson role. Her legal and civic credentials make the accusations even more sensitive.

Kendagor Obadiah Distances Himself from Ex-Wife Linked to WhatsApp Group

Also drawn into the saga is former Citizen TV journalist Kendagor Obadiah, who issued a statement after his ex-wife, Antonellah Kakuko, was named as a key figure behind the group.

Kendagor clarified that the two had been separated for five years and officially divorced in 2023.

“Whatever Antonellah posts is entirely on her and her political associates,” he wrote. “We have a daughter together. On her behalf, I want to state that she bears no responsibility for what her mother does or says.”

Itumbi Also Weighs In

Digital strategist and State House official Dennis Itumbi also criticized The Standard, calling the story a mockery of journalism.

“Journalism is the pursuit of truth. Anything less is gossip,” he said, accusing the paper of spreading fabrications over facts.

Background: What Sparked the Outrage?

The controversy began after The Standard published a report on June 24 alleging a coordinated plan by government insiders to infiltrate peaceful protests and push online disinformation.

Screenshots from WhatsApp groups allegedly run by politicians and government-affiliated bloggers were shared in the exposé.

Protests are set to be held on June 25 in memory of young Kenyans killed during last year’s anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. Tensions are high as civil society continues to push for justice and transparency.