The claims were published by the Nation Media Group, quoting Raila as saying he stopped an alleged plan to remove Ruto from power during the Gen Z protests.
In a statement released on Monday, March 17, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya dismissed the reports as false, misleading, and reckless.
“The ministry categorically states that the claims in the newspaper articles are false, baseless, unfounded, misleading, and indeed reckless,” KDF stated.
The military emphasized that it is a professional and apolitical institution that does not interfere with political affairs.
“KDF remains unwavering in its loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief and its duty to safeguard the security and well-being of Kenya and her people, free from political influence or sectarian interest,” the statement added.
The defence ministry criticized the Nation Media Group for publishing unverified information, accusing the media house of sensational reporting to attract more readers.
“The publication of the article by Nation Media Group, based on unverified claims from an undisclosed source, is not only irresponsible and unpatriotic but also a clear example of sensational reporting aimed at increasing readership rather than upholding journalistic integrity,” KDF noted.
During the Gen Z protests in June 2024, thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets to oppose the controversial Finance Bill.
The demonstrations turned chaotic, with protesters storming Parliament. Fearing further unrest, the government deployed KDF officers to reinforce the police.
At the time, critics argued that deploying the military was unlawful and that soldiers were not trained to handle civilian protests.
However, the court later allowed KDF to continue maintaining security until calm was restored.
Following the protests, President Ruto dismissed his entire Cabinet and later appointed new members, including some of Raila’s allies.
Since then, Raila has softened his stance on Ruto’s leadership and has opposed calls for the president’s resignation.
Speaking at a funeral in Machakos on Saturday, March 15, Raila urged Kenyans to wait for the 2027 elections instead of pushing for an early exit for Ruto.
“Too much activism against the government is stealing time for work,” Raila said.
The debate on Raila’s alleged role in stopping a coup has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the credibility of the claims.
Meanwhile, KDF maintains that it remains committed to its constitutional duty of protecting the country without political interference.
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