Nairobi, Kenya
May 12, 2022 — The Kenya Television Network(KTN), a privately owned free-to-air Kenyan television, has apologized to President Salva Kiir for broadcasting a ‘disrespectful’ remarks by a controversial exiled South Sudanese politician, Peter Biar Ajak, on their news channel.
Last week during the morning show, Biar Ajak, who is bitter against Salva Kiir goverment for incarnating him behind bars for nearly two years, alleged that President Salva Kiir could not address mourners at State Funeral of late Kibaki in Kenya because he consumed too much alcohol the night before and he had enormous “hangover” that he could barely move or speak.
According to Biar, that was not the first time for president Kiir to be drunk and unable to give his speeches as expected.
In a letter extended to Nyamilepedia, the Standard Group which owns KTN news apologized to President Kiir for what it described as “inaccurate and unfortunate remarks about him on the television”.
The apology letter states that the unfortunate remarks have undoubtedly unsettled the cordial and mutually beneficial relationship that the Standard Group has over the years enjoyed with the leadership, government and the people of South Sudan.
“Sir, on behalf of the Standard Group PLC management and employees, I take this early opportunity to sincerely apologize to you personally for the agony and anguish our mistake has caused you, the government and the people of South Sudan,” KTN editor-in-chief, Ochieng Rapuro party apologized in a statement obtained by Nyamilepedia.
“We proposed to offer an official retraction to you on air this Wednesday morning when the weekly programme in which the mistake was made will run. Further, we are taking substantive internal measures to ensure such as incident doesn’t happen again.”, Rapuro added.
The Standard Group and its media platforms promised to remain open to President Kiir’s government and the people of South Sudan to engage in conversations that advance the cause of human progress in the region.
Kiir traveled to Nairobi on April 28 to eulogize Kenyan Former President Late. Mwai Kibaki, whose state funeral was attended by thousands of mourners the following day.
After the event, Dr. Biar was seen on KTN criticizing and making disrespectful statements against President Kiir.
In response, the Ministry of foreign affairs on Thursday summoned and handed a protest letter to Kenyan Ambassador in Juba over Biar’s alcohol remarks on President Kiir.
Ambassador Samuel Nandwa said his country regretted the matter and pledged to take an immediate action regarding the issue.
