Chris Muriithi: Makena Njeri Goes On Explosive Rant Against Kenyan Media

Media personality Makena Njeri on Friday, December 16 ripped into Kenyan media houses after changing her Instagram name to Chris Muriithi.

In a long and bold statement on Instagram, Njeri accused the media outlets of peddling false information that she had taken up a masculine name in exchange for her birth name.

The name change caught many of her followers on IG unaware before it spread to Twitter, and went viral.

She further believed that her alleged name change had blown open a window of opportunity for cyberbullies to target and attack her.

Makena Njeri with an LGBTQ+ flag. /INSTAGRAM.MAKENA NJERI

"For the last couple of days, I have been plastered all over media outlets in Kenya with false accusations about a name change. What this has done is open up space once again for a queer person to be cyber bullied, targeted, abused and harassed for their own existence," she ranted.

She questioned the criteria by which information she termed as false was allowed to be published following editorial checks and how the matter of LGBTQ+ has been disregarded by media houses, despite her formerly being a journalist at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Njeri stated that her efforts to educate the media on including LGBTQ+ stories in their publications are just as important as learning to report on any event.

"As a trained journalist I struggle to understand how false information is given a go-ahead by editorial (if this department even exists in such media outlets) and also how there is a complete lack of duty of care when it comes to reporting on issues around LGBTQ folk in this country.

"It proves to me that the work I continue to do is important to ensure media is educated on inclusive reporting for LGBTQ folk, the younger generation doesn’t have to go through this kind of hate and online attacks because of careless journalism. Do better!" she blasted.

Turning to companies like Meta, Instagram and Facebook, Njeri announced that it was time to make sure that they start having conversations that will ensure the queer community in Africa is not subjected to online hate.

"PS: People can wake up in the morning and decide to change names. It’s not news! Also, it’s not an opportunity for your pathetic media houses to use to spread hate towards the LGBTQ community!

"I will continue to advocate for the rights of the queer community in Africa without fear or shame! Such media houses should be held accountable for catalyzing hate," she added.

Njeri prefers to be referred to with the pronouns 'they' and 'them'. Despite how controversial the move may seem, it was viewed to be unsurprising amongst her followers since 'they' has been open about individual sexuality and stance on gay issues for a long time now.

She is the founder of Bold Network Africa which is an advocacy and rights movement for the gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) community. 

Despite rumours that went around previously that she was romantically involved with Marini Naturals CEO Michelle Ntalami, she finally came out and declared she was gay. She is also on record saying that she once dated a man to please society but did not feel the vibe.

She later admitted to dating Ntalami and the two were involved in an acrimonious break up with Ntalami accusing the multi-talented journalist of cheating on her. 

Makena Njeri posing for a photo with Michelle Ntalami. /THE STAR