Time Moses Kuria Begged For Job At Nation Before Joining Politics

John Kamau, the Investigations and Special Projects editor at Daily Nation, on Tuesday, June 20 revealed how Trade Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria had approached Nation Media Group (NMG) for a job before joining politics.

Kamau, who has been at the regional media house for years, alleged that the CS wanted to work as a columnist for NMG's subsidiary newspaper, Business Daily.

Kuria, an economist, was reportedly tasked with expressing his opinions, insights and perspectives, but he joined politics before the editor could offer him a contract to work at NMG.

"When nobody knew Moses Kuria he came to Nation Center and begged for a column with Business Daily. We met.  He started writing for us on the economy.

Inside a newsroom at Nation Media Group. /NMG

"I wanted to prepare a contract for him, but he vanished to PNU politics. Today, he forgets part of the ladder he used. Moses! Behave," Kamau reprimanded the CS for slamming NMG which would have been his employer.

However, Kamau did not disclose the exact year when Kuria approached the media house, nor did he provide any additional details regarding the terms of their agreement.

In addition, he reminded the former Gatundu South Member of Parliament (MP) that the media played a huge role in uncovering scandals including the infamous Goldenberg scandal, YK 92 among others which also saw NMG subjected to verbal insults.

"Had the media not exposed the Goldenberg scandal, you would not have known about it. Even then, the Nation Media Group was called names.

"YK 92 and Operation Moi Wins know what they did - but the media house survived. So, Moses Kuria, relax," Kamau added.

During the 9 PM news bulletin on June 19, NTV's Smriti Vidyarthi reiterated the media's role in defending the public interest and keeping the government in check.

She argued that Kuria, who made headlines with his provocative statements, would have resigned or even been fired if he was in a civilised country.

Weighing in on statements issued by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), the Kenya Editors' Guild (KEG) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) condemning the CS's remarks, Vidyarthi slammed Kuria for alleged attempts to abrogate Chapter Four of the Bill of Rights, particularly the freedom of the press.

"The Kenya Union of Journalists has called the CS a symbol of national shame. And he is. How else can you explain his constant thoughtless outburst? Remarks against an institution whose freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution, no less. Our concern tonight is not the fact that the CS is raving mad on social media or that he shamelessly lost his cool at a public event.

"He could keep doing that if he doesn't respect the lofty position he holds. But it is his temerity to threaten a media organization in present-day Kenya that is baffling. His purported blanket injunction on government departments seeking to advertise on NMG platforms is a height of arrogance and the mark of a public official drunk with power," she stated.

The experienced news anchor reiterated EACC's statement that the CS that he has no authority to purport to influence or control the award of government tenders.

Though she commended Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for opposing Kuria's threats to fire government officials who would be found placing adverts in the Nation Media Group, Vidyarthi implored the second-in-command and President William Ruto to take the extra step and take action against the CS.

For the better part of Monday, Kuria fired tweet after tweet attempting to damage the reputation and credibility of the NMG, to the point of even sharing a screenshot of the real-time highlights at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), showing the media house among the top losers.

Among the allies who sided with Kuria was ICT Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dennis Itumbi who in a tweet at 10.52 pm claimed to have evidence of a journalist attached to NMG indicating that editors at the media house only wanted negative stories.