The High Court has issued interim orders restraining the Standard Group from further publishing or disseminating allegations linking President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, to a KSh2.8 billion procurement contract for new Kenya Police Service uniforms.
In its ruling on September 14, the High Court order temporarily barred the Standard Group from continuing to disseminate the allegations pending further directions in the case.
The development follows reports concerning the KSh2.8 billion contract for the supply of new uniforms to the Kenya Police Service and claims connecting Charlene Ruto to individuals or entities associated with the procurement.
Charlene Challenges Standard Publications
The dispute stems from publications by The Standard on August 30, 2026, including a front-page feature titled “THE TRAIL…” and a page-six story headlined “Police uniform tender trail links Alusala teacher and First Family.”
Also Read: NPS Sets Record Straight on New Police Uniform Tender, Names Company Awarded Contract
According to court documents on the case, Charlene argued that the publications expressly or by implication associated her with the KSh2.8 billion procurement. She said the reports created an impression that she had participated in the tender, supplied goods under the contract or benefited from the procurement.
Through her lawyers, Charlene sought orders stopping the Standard Group from continuing to publish or circulate the allegations. She also argued that keeping the reports available online could allow the claims to be repeatedly accessed and redistributed.
The High Court subsequently granted an interim order restraining the media group from repeating or disseminating the allegations pending further proceedings.
Questions Around KSh2.8B Police Uniform Tender
The court dispute is connected to wider scrutiny of the procurement of new uniforms for the Kenya Police Service.
The Standard’s investigation focused on Nalitex Limited, a company reported to be at the centre of the KSh2.8 billion uniform procurement. The newspaper raised questions about the company’s listed address and alleged links involving individuals associated with President Ruto.
The reporting prompted questions about the ownership and control of the company involved in the procurement, as well as the transparency of the tender process.
However, the National Police Service 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 a purchase order or payment relating to the tender.
Also Read: Not All Officers Will Wear Ruto’s New Police Uniforms: Here’s Who Is Left Out
Court Sets Further Proceedings
The interim orders prevent the Standard Group from continuing to disseminate the specific allegations while the case proceeds.
The matter is therefore still before the High Court, with the parties expected to respond to the claims and present their respective positions before the court makes any substantive determination.
Respondents were given seven days to file their responses, with the matter scheduled for further mention on October 19, 2026.
The case comes weeks after President Ruto unveiled the new sky-blue general-duty police uniforms on August 28 following recommendations associated with reforms to the National Police Service.
The new uniforms replaced the previous attire used by general-duty officers and formed part of changes recommended after consultations with police officers.
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