Kenya Union of Journalists Calls on President Ruto to Tame Trade Secretary Kuria for Media Discredit
The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) desires that President William Ruto discipline Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria for discrediting the media.
In a statement released on Monday, June 19, the Union also urged the DP to tame his allies with the same zeal, vigor, and fervor that he displayed in his fight against illicit alcohol and substance abuse.
“According to the renowned philosopher Plato, leaders are reflections of society, and we sincerely hope that President William Ruto will save Kenyans from this national disgrace.
“While we support the ongoing initiatives of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to combat the effects of rampant alcohol consumption in the country, we believe that for this war to be successful, he should cast a wider net to rid the country of leaders who are not in control of their faculties,” the statement read in part.
KUJ criticized Kuria and Gachagua’s response to exposés published by the Daily Nation and broadcast by NTV, arguing that the two leaders do not have the nation’s best interests in mind.
The statement continued, “We wish to remind Kuria that he is now a Cabinet Secretary whose actions and words should promote a positive image of Kenya as a nation, by leadership and integrity law.”
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In addition, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and the Kenya Editors’ Guild demanded an apology and accused the CS of media censorship.
To promote balanced coverage, MCK also exerted pressure on the government to issue a rebuttal to the allegations made against it.
“The Council observes that this is the most extreme instance since independence in which individuals have pushed media and government relations to the breaking point and diminished the dignity of the country.
Part of the statement read: “It is essential that the State provide the media with a coherent and consistent narrative to facilitate a balanced coverage of government initiatives.”
Concurrently, the Kenya Editors’ Guild requested that the Kenya Kwanza administration issue an assurance that the CS’s statements do not represent the government’s stance.
“Since the CS did not elaborate, we do not know the context in which such unwarranted, uncalled-for, and completely off-base remarks were made.
“However, it is safe to conclude that the CS is unhappy with Nation Media Group’s work informing or educating Kenyans,” the report stated.
Kuria criticized Nation Media Group for publishing a story that linked his ministry to a Ksh6 million oil scandal.
The former representative for Gatundu South threatened to fire state employees who advertised with NMG.
Gachagua, on the other hand, asserted that NMG falsely accused Ruto of inflating the foreign tour budgets.
Kenya Union of Journalists Calls on President Ruto to Tame Trade Secretary Kuria for Media Discredit
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