Kenya, March 16 -- Royal Media Services (RMS) Chairman Samuel Kamau (SK) Macharia has ignited a firestorm of debate following explosive allegations made during a burial ceremony in Machakos on Saturday, March 15.

Speaking at the funeral of veteran pilot Colonel (retired) James Nguyo Gitahi, Macharia claimed that the 2007 Kenyan general elections were rigged in favour of former President Mwai Kibaki, asserting that opposition leader Raila Odinga had won by a margin of 1.8 million votes.

The media tycoon alleged that returning officers in the Mt. Kenya region were coerced into altering figures to secure Kibaki's victory-a revelation he said he had agreed to disclose with Gitahi, depending on who passed away first.

Macharia, a prominent figure in Kenya's media landscape and a known supporter of Odinga, further claimed that electoral irregularities persisted in the 2017 and 2022 elections, costing Odinga additional victories.

He criticized the credibility of voter registers and suggested that Odinga's trust in political alliances, including the 2022 handshake with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, blinded him to manipulation by what he called the "deep state."

At 82, Macharia dismissed fears of repercussions, stating, "I am not worried about being kidnapped or hijacked for revealing this."

The remarks have drawn sharp reactions across Kenya. Supporters of Odinga hailed Macharia's statements as confirmation of long-held suspicions, while critics accused him of spreading unverified claims for political gain.

Netizens reflected the polarised sentiment, with some users urging the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe Macharia's allegations of election tampering, while others speculated about potential retaliation from President William Ruto's administration.

Macharia's comments come amid ongoing legal battles over his business empire. In recent months, he has been locked in a dispute with the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and other parties over the ownership and operations of Directline Assurance, a company he founded.

The High Court has issued orders protecting Macharia from DCI searches related to the case, with the latest extension lasting until April 2025.

Additionally, a January court ruling halted his cautionary advertisements against Directline, following claims of defamation by the insurer.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.