Journalists have spoken out against Trade CS Moses Kuria’s utterances and demanded that he apologize for his hateful words and withdraw his threat against the Nation Media Group.
The Kenya Editors Guild and the Kenya Union of Journalists both emphasized in separate statements on Monday that the CS’s comments pose a danger to the vital role that the media plays in the country’s democracy.
“The attention of the Kenya Editors’ Guild is drawn to a set of remarks attributed to Moses Kuria, the CS Trade and Industry, attacking a leading media establishment in the country, the Nation Media Group. In the first statement, a Tweet, the CS describes Nation Media Group in a foul language uncharacteristic of a state officer of his rank,” KEG said.
“Editors, journalists and all media practitioners expect assurance from the Kenya Kwanza administration that the sentiments expressed by CS Kuria do not represent the policy of the government, and the media enterprises will be accorded their space to execute their mandate.”
Read: Uproar As Moses Kuria Threatens to Fire Gov’t Officials for Advertising with Nation
KEG President Zubeidah Kananu emphasized that if a State Officer or any Kenyan feels aggrieved by the media’s reporting, they can voice their concerns, including going to court or contacting the offending media outlet.
“To go out in public spaces to lambast and reduce the important work the media does to whorish business is the highest form of insult to media professionals in the country. Indeed, Hon. Kuria’s remarks have taken us back nearly 30 years ago when the late Mulu Mutisya, a one-party dictatorship zealot, described journalists in similar terms,” she said.
KUJ on the other hand said the former Gatundu South MP was quickly becoming a national shame.
“We would wish to remind Mr Kuria that he is now a Cabinet Secretary whose actions and utterances should promote a positive image of Kenya as a nation. In line with tenets of leadership and integrity law. His reactions to media reports regarding one of the many scandals that have hit Kenya Kwanza administration within a span of 10 months are not only an embarrassment to Kenyans, but a confirmation that his stomach is full and can belch and eventually vomit on the shoes of hungry Kenyans with impunity,” the union said.
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“While we support the ongoing initiatives by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to deal with the impact of rampant consumption of alcohol in the country, it is our opinion that for this war to bear fruit, he should cast the net wider to rid the county of leaders who are not in control of their faculties. I can assure Mr Kuria that the media will outlive his political career and will be waiting with glee to write his political obituary.”
The CS on Sunday threatened to sack government officers who dare to advertise with the media house.
He also referred to the journalists as “prostitutes”.
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