MP Wamuchomba calls out political class over media attacks

By Peter Ochieng

Githunguri Member of Parliament (MP) Gathoni Wamuchomba has taken a stand against attacks directed towards the media by the political class.

The legislature who is among few ruling party UDA politicians to have taken a stand against the controversial finance bill, 2023, says freedom of the press must be guarded jealously.

"Freedom of the press is one of the fundamental principals of governance achieved through the second liberation in the Country. We are only to blame if we cannot uphold what our forefathers painfully fought for," the MP said In a statement.

"We must for whatever price defend the constitution of Kenya and ensure that independence of parliament and freedom of the press is not eroded to favour individuals."

The lawmaker is a trained journalist and served as a Radio presenter before joining politics.

"Journalists must be safe and free to express in the modern society in their role in agenda setting and gate keeping. The political class has to respect the press," she added.

Her sentiment arose from a public slur by Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Trade and Industrialisation Moses Kuria against the Nation Media Group (NMG).

Over the weekend, the vocal CS speaking in Embu County purpotedly ordered state agencies to stop advertising with NMG, after an expose on edible oils 'scandal.'

“I want to tell Nation Media, you need to choose whether you are a newspaper, broadcasting house or an opposition party. From today, not even tomorrow, if any government department advertises with Nation Media, know you are on your way home," stated the former Gatundu South MP.

The Media Council of Kenya, Editors' Guild and Kenya Union of Journalists roundly condemned the CS for his attacks against NMG.