A last-minute phone call by Raila Odinga to Baringo Senator Gideon Moi on Sunday night forced Standard Group to recall all newspapers meant for Monday circulation.
In yet another move that perhaps indicates Raila's new approach towards gagging media houses, the editorial team had to return to office late night to get a new headline before circulation.
A source privy to Sunday's dramatic events between Odinga and Standard Group, says the former PM called a senior manager before reaching out to Moi, whose family controls a stake in the publication.
The story had been written by Geoffrey Mosoku and headlined 'The fight in Raila's home' was replaced with 'New Hefty Benefits for Teachers'.
"Jakom (Raila) got hint about the story and he had to immediately reach out to the editorial team. Thereafter, he reached out to Senator Moi who intervened," said the source.
"He didn't want the story out since it could have given his opponents opportunity to attack him. He was very cautious because he knows the damage," he added.
Gideon, who calls the shots, then called Standard CEO Olando Lyomu, who summed Executive Editor and Head of News Kipkoech Tanui, Editor-in-chief Ochieng' Rapuro and newly hired Managing Editor Denis Galava to urgently bring down the story.
In the story, Raila's wife Ida Odinga is said to have taken her daughter-in-law Lwam Bekele to court over a property tussle. Mrs Odinga wants twins enjoined as beneficiaries of late Fidel Odinga's properties.
According to Mama Ida, his son Fidel had twins who were born months after his death in 2015. She has been reportedly taking care of them according to court papers.
When reached out for comment, Mosoku sent a link of an online publication that had ruined the story, an affirmation that his piece was pulled down following high-level consultations.
"Hii ni town bwana," he replied, accompanying his comments with the link, affirming that indeed the story was pulled down amid controversy.
The latest twist of events could yet again put the editorial independence within media houses into question. Fundamentally, it's a blow to Galava given that he left The NMG almost under similar circumstances.
Last week, a furious Odinga also gave the Standard Group seven days to apologise after linking him to DCI investigations over alleged tax evasion. It's believed that a vehicle attached to him is yet to be cleared by KRA, a claim he denied.
Fidel died on January 2015 at his house. Ms Lwam Bekele was his second wife given that he had divorced the first wife, who was apparently introduced by Mama Ida during the memorial service. Lwam comes from Ethiopia.
By the time the Monday's circulation was recalled, the source said, vans dispatching the newspapers to various parts of the country had already left the city. They had to make a u-turn.
Mr Odinga is a close ally of Mr Moi. The two have met a couple times and are said to be crafting a winning formula ahead of 2022 polls.
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