Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, Dennis Itumbi, has likened the media criticism subjected to President William Ruto to that of former President Mwai Kibaki.
Commenting on an earlier version of the newspaper from October 2003 titled "Kenyans Becoming Poorer Under Narc", Itumbi, in a statement on his official X account on Sunday, September 21, claimed that the former president's regime was subjected to intense criticism from the media less than a year after assuming office.
According to Itumbi, just like Kibaki, President Ruto will not back down in ensuring that he streamlines the country's political and economic landscape, despite criticism.
"This Standard Kenya Media told us Kibaki was taking Kenya in the wrong direction. Nothing new; like President William Ruto says, you have to keep doing what you must, like in Kibaki's era, there will be noise initially, but eventually it shall be well," Itumbi stated.
Itumbi's comments come at a time when President Ruto's administration is facing mounting pressure from the public and the media, especially due to the rising cost of living, tax policies, and allegations of incompetence among senior government officials.
On the other hand, Itumbi, who is a close ally of the Head of State, together with other Kenya Kwanza vocal supporters, has been at the forefront in defending the president and promoting his agenda.
Earlier this month, Itumbi slammed the media house after it criticised top government officials, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.
In a statement on his official X account on Sunday, August 31, Itumbi claimed that the media house has long projected itself as a political powerhouse rather than a media outlet.
Itumbi claimed that the "fake" news published in the newspaper shows a lack of professionalism and is a "total shame" to the country's media ecosystem.
He was responding to the newspaper's latest headline, "Unmoved by outcry," which featured the three CSs who have been under intense scrutiny in recent months due to the deteriorating situation in their respective portfolios.
"Dear StandardKenya, please open a newsroom and convert it into a political party, and then bring your manifesto," Itumbi stated.
"You should tell us the editor who wants to be the presidential candidate. Your daily fake commentary presented as news is a total shame to Journalism!" he added.
