NAIROBI, Kenya — The High Court has issued interim orders barring the Standard Group from repeating, republishing or otherwise disseminating allegations linking Charlene Ruto, President William Ruto’s daughter, to the procurement of uniforms for the Kenya Police Service.
The orders follow an application filed by Charlene Ruto challenging a Standard publication dated 30 August 2026, which carried a front-page feature headlined “THE TRAIL…” and a page-six story titled “Police uniform tender trail links Alusala teacher and First Family.”
In her application, Charlene Ruto contends that the publications, expressly or by implication, associated her with an alleged Sh2.8 billion Kenya Police Service uniform procurement.
Through her lawyers, Kitinya & Co. Advocates, she told the court that the reports created the impression she had participated in, supplied under, or benefited from the tender.
Her application cites a subsequent clarification from the National Police Service (NPS), which stated that Nalitex Limited did not participate in the procurement process, was not awarded the contract, did not act as a subcontractor and did not receive any purchase order or payment in connection with the tender.
According to the court documents, the NPS identified Bedi Investments Limited as the actual contractor. The NPS’s position is consistent with public statements it issued around the same period disputing media reports that linked Nalitex to the uniform deal.
Charlene Ruto’s application further states that she served the Standard with a written demand and right-of-reply notice, seeking a correction, retraction and apology.
She argued that despite this demand, the contested material remained available online and capable of continued circulation and republication, which she said continued to cause her injury.
In her Notice of Motion, Charlene Ruto sought orders restraining the Standard from repeating, republishing, reposting, distributing or otherwise disseminating the same or substantially similar allegations against 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 to disable or remove the online and digital versions of the publication, or alternatively attach a clear corrective notice to them, pending determination of the suit.
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The court granted the second of the interim prayers sought in the Notice of Motion, which has the effect of stopping further dissemination of the contested allegations pending further directions. The respondents have been given seven days to file their response to the application.
The matter is scheduled to come up for mention on 19 October 2026, when the court is expected to give further directions after hearing from both sides.
The interim order addresses only the request to halt further dissemination of the allegations; it does not constitute a final determination of the underlying dispute, which will be decided once the Standard Group has had the opportunity to respond and the substantive suit is heard.
The Standard Group had not issued a public statement on the court order at the time of filing.
