12 Govt Offices Defy CS Kuria, Spend 1.4M on Nation Ads
Alice Wahome, cabinet secretary for water and irrigation, was among the senior government officials who disregarded Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria’s request not to place advertisements in the Daily Nation.
Twelve government departments and agencies placed advertisements in the most recent issue of the newspaper.
The most notable advertisements were placed by the Education Ministry, led by Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, and the Water Ministry, led by Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome.
The Ministry of Water, through the Water Services Regulatory Board (WSRB), purchased two full-page, full-color (33cm x 6cm), Ksh623,000 advertisements.
Each of the two advertisements placed by the Ministry of Water cost the government Ksh1,246,000, minus a 16 percent Value-Added Tax.
Five public schools affiliated with the Ministry of Education were also advertised in the newspaper.
Kirima Boys High School placed a black and white (9.7cm x 2col) advertisement that cost the school Ksh24,500, excluding VAT tax.
Bishop Gatimu Girls High School and Lugulu Girls High School each purchased a single black and white (6.3cm x 2col) spot for approximately Ksh18,000 (excluding VAT).
In addition to placing an eight (12.6cm x 2col) advertisement at a cost of Ksh35,500, Sing’ore Girls High School, which was advertising for bids, also placed an eight (12.6cm x 2col) advertisement.
Simultaneously, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) paid Ksh35,000 for a black-and-white (12.6cm x 2col) advertisement.
Additionally, County Governments placed two prominent advertisements in the widely distributed newspaper.
Kakamega County Government purchased a 9.7cm x 2col color advertisement for Ksh36,000. Nandi County purchased a 17.5cm x 2col space for Ksh50,500.
ALSO READ: Former Trade Secretary Moses Kuria’s Desperate Plea for Media Role Before Political Career, Recalled by Daily Nation Editor
EACC Position
Monday, June 19, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) authorized government procurement officers to advertise with Nation Media Group (NMG) outlets, despite Kuria’s socially unacceptable remarks.
“Article 227 of the Constitution mandates a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective system for public procurement.
“Therefore, no person or organization may lawfully be denied the opportunity to participate in any public procurement unless specifically authorized by law,” EACC stated in a statement with strong language.
EACC cautioned CS Kuria against persecuting corporations, particularly the media, solely for informing the public.
“EACC, therefore, advises all state and public officers to strictly adhere to the laws governing the management of public affairs, including the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012,” it warned.
Monday, June 19, Vice President Rigathi Gachagua concurred with Kuria’s assertion that the media is biased against President Ruto’s administration.
Gachagua, however, denied the Trade Cabinet Secretary’s threats against Nation Media Group.
Gachagua stated, while speaking at the Kenya Water and Sanitation International Conference and Exhibition in Mombasa, that their government was not a dictatorship.
“I disagree with his recommendation that we discontinue advertising with you. We should allow you to continue doing your job because we are a democracy. Gachagua remarked, “Ours is to call you out,” adding that Kuria went overboard.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Kello Harsama, meanwhile, backed calls to boycott Nation Media Group (NMG) products.
The PS claimed that Nation Media Group had strayed from its core mission of informing the public and had begun to engage in political theater.
12 Govt Offices Defy CS Kuria, Spend 1.4M on Nation Ads
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