Kenyan media retaliates amid consistent attacks by the government

Nairobi, Tuesday June 20 2023,

KNA by Susan Wanjiru/Daisy Masinde

The foundation of Kenya as a democratic nation is in the freedom of expression and the freedom for all citizens to receive and impart information whereas the most pivotal role of the media is to serve the public with loyalty and commitment.

The Kenya Union of Journalists Secretary General Mr. Erick Oduor expressed his dismay towards the Kenya Kwanza administration which has directed sustained attacks on the media since it came to office ten months ago.

“The most recent attacks have been triggered by an exposé of corruption in government and other stories projecting voices demanding accountability on the part of the government," remarked Oduor.

“We read the consistent attacks on the media as attempts to divert public attention from widespread theft of public funds and other governance challenges facing the new administration,” disclosed Oduor.

He further claimed that the media had a sacred responsibility to the people of Kenya, and thus will continue, without fear, to report on public issues and project the different voices in society as well as speak truth to power and asked the government to stop targeting and intimidating the media which is only discharging its responsibility to the public.

Kenya Editors Guild president Zubeida Koome cited that the government should respond to concerns by Kenyans on the scandals exposed by the media in the past 10 months, which include, diversion of condemned sugar into the market, repackaging and sale of subsidized fertilizer and questions over KEMSA, especially on the mosquito nets funds.

The others were concerns over the management of NHIF which have rendered it unable to serve Kenyans, the questions over favoritism in the duty-free commodity imports including edible oils, maize and rice and use of advertising revenue as a tool to blackmail the media.

She also touched on the interference with independent institutions, especially National Lands Commission, the Shakahola massacre and failure to investigate and take action against those responsible for attacks against journalists, especially during the recent public protests over skyrocketing prices of essential commodities among other key issues.

“We wish to state that the media never took a collective position in support of any specific candidate in the 2022 elections and we call on the government to stop this uncalled for propaganda and continued hostile political rhetoric against the media and journalists,” remarked Koome.

She added that this is an attempt to blackmail and arm-twist the media into ceasing scrutiny of the government and those wielding power and authority.

Koome also declared that as the media, they commit to discharging their roles including holding the current regime to account for the good of Kenyans as done to previous regimes since independence and restating that no one will be cowed into submission.

She said that journalists are guided by the commitment to truth, underpinned by an ethical code enshrined in the Laws of Kenya therefore urged those aggrieved by the media to seek redress through the Media Complaints Commission established under the Media Council Act and where necessary through the courts.

“The Kenya Media Sector Working Group stands in solidarity with Nation Media Group and all journalists in the country against attacks and threats from government officials. We also call on President William Ruto in liaison with the International Community to issue a firm assurance that they will not be allowed to seek shelter by trying to silence media that exposes their misdeeds and protect mass media freedom as well,” said Koome.

Courtesy ; K. N. A