Mudavadi calls Kuria to order over NMG rant

By Peter Ochieng

Prime Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi wants public officers to exercise caution in their utterances.

In a preview of an interview set to air today on NTV, Mudavadi said some statements, despite being made individually may give an impression that it is the stand of the government.

"My advice to my colleagues in public space is that be careful in the statements that you make because they may be personal statements but because of your status in society, they could give the impression that is public policy, which is not," said the former Deputy Prime Minister.

His sentiments are a reaction to Trade and Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria's rant against NMG.

Over the weekend, Kuria purpotedly banned officers manning government agencies against advertising with the Nation Media Group (NMG) over edible oils 'scandal' expose. Kuria warned that anyone who goes against his directive will stand sacked.

Later, in a series of tweets, the CS trolled NMG referring to the company's staff as prostitutes.

However, Mudavadi said President William Ruto's administration is pro free press.

"The government is committed to a free, vibrant and objective media and we are not running away from that. There is a thin line between a public official and someone in their private capacity."

Media stakeholders roundly condemned the CS for his attacks against NMG.