Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday gave his sentiments following the mass resignation of columnists at Nation Media Group.
The Senate Majority Leader criticised the eight writers who resigned claiming that they were biased in their work.
"It is time the Kenyan media recruits a new crop of independent columnists. Our friends were leaning on one side for far too long," he wrote.
[caption caption="Kipchumba Murkomen"]
[/caption]
Murkomen further added that NMG should invest more in young journalists who are more passionate about their work.
"Media houses should recruit younger and progressive columnists. Some have been columnists since I was in High School.
"We need new blood," he added.
The eight independent columnists on Tuesday announced their resignation from NMG-owned newspaper Daily Nation.
They quit over what they termed a worrying trend where the Executive arm of government has great influence over who works for and contributes to the Daily.
The columnists are Rasna Warah, Muthoni Wanyeki, Fr Gabriel Dolan, Maina Kiai, Gabrielle Lynch, George Kegoro, Nic Cheeseman and Kwamchetsi Makokha.
In a joint statement, they stated that the recent actions of NMG and the executive suggested a state capture of the media.
In February, popular NTV news anchor Larry Madowo also terminated his contract with the Daily Nation.
Larry, who used to write the #FrontRow column on the daily, announced via his official Twitter page that he had ended his contract and thanked the paper for giving him the chance to express himself.
[caption caption="Larry Madowo"]
[/caption]
