Standard group barred from publishing reports linking Charlene Ruto to police uniform tender

The orders followed an application filed by Charlene Ruto challenging a publication by The Standard on August 30, 2026, which included a front-page feature headlined “THE TRAIL…” and a page six story titled “Police uniform tender trail links Alusala teacher and First Family.”

Charlene argues that the publications expressly or by implication associated her with an alleged Ksh2.8 billion Kenya Police Service uniform procurement.

Through her lawyers, she told the court that the reports had created an impression that she participated in, supplied under, or benefited from the procurement.

The application states that the National Police Service (NPS) subsequently clarified that Nalitex Limited did not participate in the procurement process, was not awarded the contract, was not a subcontractor and did not receive any purchase order or payment in relation to the tender.

NPS, according to the court documents, identified Bedi Investments Limited as the contractor.

Further, Charlene claims that she served the Standard with a written demand and right of reply notice seeking a correction, retraction and apology over the publication.

She argued that despite the demand, the impugned material remained available online and was capable of continued digital circulation and republication, which she said continued to perpetuate the alleged injury.

In the interim orders, the applicant sought to restrain the defendants from repeating, republishing, reposting, distributing or otherwise disseminating the same or substantially similar allegations concerning her, unless supported by verified evidence establishing her actual participation in or benefit from the procurement.

She also asked the court to direct the Standard, pending determination of the suit, to disable or remove the online and digital versions of the impugned publication, or place a clear corrective notice on them to the extent that they continued to present her as having participated in, supplied under or benefited from the Kenya Police Service uniform procurement.

The court granted interim prayer number two of the Notice of Motion, effectively stopping the further dissemination of the contested allegations pending further directions.

The respondents were given seven days to file their responses to the application, allowing them to present their position before the court proceeds with the substantive issues.

The matter will come up for mention on October 19, 2026.