Journalists Join Forces In Bare-Knuckle Response To Moses Kuria

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), the Kenya Editors' Guild (KEG) and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) teamed up in condemning remarks by Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria against the mainstream media houses in the country.

KUJ, in their no-holds-barred statement on Monday, June 19, termed CS Kuria as a man who is "now becoming a symbol of national shame" while appealing to him to "sober up".

KUJ Secretary General Eric Oduor reminded the Trade CS of his role in President William Ruto's government, thus any utterances and actions from him should carry a positive image of Kenya as a nation in line with tenets of leadership and integrity law, not the opposite.

"His reactions to media reports regarding one of the many scandals that have hit Kenya Kwanza administration within a span of 10 months are not only an embarrassment to Kenyans but a confirmation that his stomach is full and can belch and eventually vomit on the shoes of hungry Kenyans with impunity.

"A celebrated philosopher Plato said leaders are mirrors of the society and it is our sincere hope that President William Ruto will save Kenyans from this national shame," stated Oduor.

The SG further called upon Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to not spare leaders who are not in control of their behaviour, even though KUJ supported the DP's initiatives to deal with the impact of the rampant consumption of alcohol in the country.

"I can assure Mr Kuria that the media will outlive his political career and will be waiting with glee to write his political obituary," Oduor did not mince his words.

The MCK on its part termed CS Kuria's attacks on the Nation Media Group (NMG), even online, as the most extreme, since independence that individuals have pushed media and government relations to the brink and lowered the country's dignity.

"The Conduct of the Cabinet Secretary falls below the threshold as set out in Chapter Six of the Kenyan Constitution for state officers as well as Article 34 on media freedom since they amount to profiling and targeting of specific journalists working for a media house.

"Disagreements and misunderstandings are the hallmarks of a democracy. While we appreciate the government's concerns about perceived negative coverage in the media, it is important that the media receives a coherent and consistent narrative from the State to enable a balanced coverage of government initiatives," stated MCK CEO, David Omwoyo

Similarly, the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) in a statement signed by its President Zubeida Kananu termed Kuria’s remarks as “unwarranted, uncalled for and totally off the mark.”

“The media plays a very important role in a democracy, including holding power to account. In doing so, the media does not operate above the law. If a State Officer or any Kenyan for that matter, is aggrieved by the work of the media, they have an array of avenues to raise them, including pursuing the legal route or reaching out to the media entity concerned,” stated KEG.

CS Kuria had previously threatened that any government official who places an advertisement on NMG risks losing their job.

The basis of Kuria's criticism towards NMG was a report that claimed that Ksh6 billion in oil funds were abused through botched tenders issued by the Trade and Agriculture ministries.

On Monday, June 19, DP Gachagua joined Kenya Kwanza leaders in their sustained attacks against NMG for bias, but on his part, he castigated the regional media house for its report comparing the expenditure of President Ruto on foreign trips to that of his predecessors.

President William Ruto, DP Rigathi Gachagua and Trade CS Moses Kuria with European Union (EU) delegates at State House, Nairobi on June 19, 2023 /PCS