MONROVIA — The Office of Bong County Senator Johnny Kpehe has rejected allegations made by media executive Stanton Witherspoon during a recent episode of the Spoon Network podcast, describing the claims as false, unsubstantiated, and politically motivated.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Witherspoon, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Spoon Network, made the remarks during his March 3 podcast episode, where he questioned the origins of the senator’s wealth and suggested that it may have been accumulated through improper means while Kpehe served as Quality Control Manager at the Liberia Revenue Authority prior to his election to the Liberian Senate in 2023.
According to Joseph Armstrong Doloyuwah, Media Officer in the office of Sen. Kpehe, comments made by Witherspoon suggesting that Senator Kpehe amassed his wealth through corrupt activities during his time at the Liberia Revenue Authority were without evidence and intended to damage the senator’s reputation.
Doloyuwah said the claims were baseless and did not reflect the senator’s professional and business history.
“The Office of Senator Johnny Kpehe categorically rejects and condemns the unfounded allegations made by Mr. Stanton Witherspoon on his podcast of March 3,” Doloyuwah said. “Claims that Senator Kpehe engaged in corruption or personal enrichment before or after his election to the
Liberian Senate in 2023 are false, unsubstantiated, and politically motivated.”
According to Doloyuwah, prior to entering national politics, Senator Kpehe was engaged in legitimate and verifiable business ventures both within Liberia and abroad. These activities, the office said, included investments in real estate and the operation of car rental services.
Doloyuwah also rejected claims linking the senator to alleged corrupt dealings involving the China Union concession, stating that the allegations were entirely baseless.
“The allegation that Senator Kpehe used the China Union concession for personal enrichment is entirely baseless,” Doloyuwah noted. “At no time has he engaged in corrupt dealings or misused any concession agreement for private gain. No evidence has been produced to support this claim.”
Beyond addressing the corruption allegations, Doloyuwah also responded to suggestions made during the podcast that Senator Kpehe has been inactive in legislative proceedings since taking office.
Doloyuwah said the senator has maintained an active role in the Liberian Senate, both in committee work and during plenary discussions.
As the former Chair of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, Doloyuwah added Senator Kpehe has advocated for expanded vocational and technical education programs across Liberia. According to Doloyuwah, he views skills training as a key component of national development and youth empowerment.
Doloyuwah also said that the senator has also used the Senate plenary to raise concerns about the proliferation of street gambling machines across Monrovia and other parts of the country. He previously described the rapid spread of the machines as a “creeping monster” that threatens youth education and future opportunities.
His advocacy, Doloyuwah said, contributed to stronger enforcement actions by the Liberia National Lottery against illegal street gambling operations.
Doloyuwah also highlighted what it described as tangible development initiatives undertaken by the senator during his two years in office.
Among the projects cited by Doloyuwah was the provision of 20 vehicles to commercial drivers in Bong County to help support local transportation businesses and improve livelihoods.
Doloyuwah further disclosed that Senator Kpehe made a personal contribution of 50,000 United States dollars toward the renovation and upgrading of a clinic in Yeila, located in Electoral District One of Bong County. The project was intended to improve access to healthcare services for residents in the area.
In addition, Doloyuwah added the senator has provided tuition assistance to more than 1,000 students attending Cuttington University, Bong County University, and other higher learning institutions across Liberia.
“These initiatives reflect a commitment to transparent and accountable public service and measurable development,” Doloyuwah said. “They stand in direct contrast to the false narrative advanced on the podcast.”
While rejecting the allegations, Doloyuwah said the senator welcomes scrutiny that is based on verified facts. However, Doloyuwah warned that misinformation and unproven accusations would not be allowed to go unchallenged.
Doloyuwah, therefore, called on Witherspoon and the Spoon Network to present evidence supporting the claims made on the podcast. In the absence of such evidence, the office demanded an immediate retraction and public apology.
Doloyuwah also urged media practitioners and commentators to exercise caution when making public claims, emphasizing the importance of verification and professional responsibility in journalism.
“We urge media practitioners and public commentators to verify claims before publication and to uphold professional standards in the interest of fairness, unity, and national progress,” the statement concluded.
