Why CS Kuria Was Right To Criticise Media- Ruto [VIDEO]

President William Ruto on Wednesday, June 21 narrated his own troubles at the hands of the media, despite assuring that the government will defend press freedoms in the wake of verbal attacks from Trade Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria.

The Head of State spoke on the sidelines during the WRC Safari Rally “Shakedown”, at Loldia and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Training School service parks in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

Ruto promised to do his part in defending the media from the actions of the erratic Cabinet minister who has been under fire from media stakeholders since June 18 after announcing sanctions against the Nation Media Group (NMG), vowing to deny them advertisements from the government.

However, he warned that he would not shy away from calling out rogue elements of the media themselves, arguing that he would stand by government officials who criticise the media over flaws in their reporting.

"We must defend the free media, we must defend their right to criticize, to say whatever it is that they want to say even to write propaganda, to say the wrong things, to write falsehoods.

"But we must defend the right of those who hold the media to account, who call them out. When the media goes rogue, we must also defend the right of people like Moses Kuria to speak their minds, the same way we are defending the media to say what they want, including the wrong ones," he stated.

Ruto reminisced being approached by a journalist seeking his Executive protection from the errant-talking CS, which he accepted, on condition that the journalists should defend him when he is under attack.

"I saw one journalist saying that the President should defend us from Moses Kuria, that's fine; I will do my bit, but I want to ask them who is going to defend me from rogue media because I go through hell all the time," posed Ruto.

"We need a fair balance and I think if they are feeling pain about what others say about them, it should tell them there are people who feel pain when they write falsehoods about others."

His remarks came hours after the High Court issued orders stopping Trade Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria from verbally attacking any media practitioner.

The order was given by Justice Lawrence Mugambi following an application filed by Charles Mugane, and pending the determination of a petition he filed.

WRC Safari Rally Will Promote Tourism, Create Economic Opportunities - President Ruto

The Kenya Kwanza government meanwhile is capitalising on the WRC Safari Rally to broaden economic opportunities in the country, with Ruto noting that the event attracts more than 100,000 visitors, creating job opportunities worth Ksh24.7 billion.

Besides employment creation, the event will boost the tourism and hospitality industry. The President said the rally has given the country media publicity worth Ksh8 billion and a total economic value of Ksh63.3 billion.

“This will position Kenya as an iconic sporting nation, rallying powerhouse and tourism destination,” he said.

President Ruto with French rally driver, Pierre-Louis Loubet of team M-Sport Ford during the WRC Safari Rally 2023 shakedown in Naivasha on June 21, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO

The Head of State further lauded the WRC Safari Rally organisers for the 19 million tree-planting Greening Legacy programme and challenged the organisers to develop the sport and ensure sustainability by encouraging talent development.

“We want to see a production line with talent like yesterday’s stars led by Joginder Singh, Peter Hughes, Nick Norwicki, Shekhar Mehta, Vic Preston Senior and Junior,” he explained.