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How Dennis Itumbi leaked poll withdrawal speech before Raila read it


State House Director of Digital Communications Dennis Itumbi leaked on Facebook the speech on opposition leader Raila Odinga’s withdrawal from the repeat presidential elections, hours before he could read it at a press conference.

The leak prompted fears among Nasa supporters that State House has been monitoring, and probably intercepting, Mr Odinga’s confidential communication.

Speaking to Nairobi News on Wednesday, Mr Itumbi confirmed that he accessed Mr Odinga’s speech before it was read out at a press conference.

PUBLIC CONSUMPTION

He defended his actions by arguing that he merely shared information that was meant for public consumption.

“Yes it is true I leaked the speech on my Facebook page. The reason for me having that page is based on a philosophy that I have that information to be shared first and it must also be factual,” said Mr Itumbi in a phone interview.

He added; “In fact it is called sharing information and not leaking and that is what I did. The Nasa coalition statement on the withdrawal of the candidature of its presidential and deputy president candidates was something that was meant for public consumption hence I just shared it to the public.”

So how was he able to get his hands on the confidential?

Mr Itumbi said he got hold of the speech ” through his own ways”.

“Being a trained journalist I know what and how to work to get the things I want,” he responded.