Former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama has barred journalists from covering his functions citing that the media has marginalised Ukambani.
Speaking on Sunday at Thinu Catholic Church in Kathiani, he declared local mainstream newspaper journalists unwelcome to his functions.
“These young men you are seeing here will file their stories today and the earliest they will be published is next week Friday if they are lucky,” he complained.
The ex-senator has in the past publicly complained ‘blatant blackout’ on the region’s news in two leading newspapers.
He also threatened to lead a boycott call against the companies’ products if the trend was not reversed.
“There has been a consistent scheme by these companies to marginalise Ukambani as if nothing good can come from here.
"Tomorrow you will see ‘very weak stories’ from different parts of the country as ours here go down the drain. This is completely unacceptable,” Muthama mentioned.
He further noted that Ukambani’s only hope in news coverage remains local FM and national radio stations as well as some TV stations.
Muthama made good his threat by inviting all local radio and television journalists at the Sunday event and giving strict instructions that no newspaper journalist should be invited.
The former lawmaker was referring to the Nation and Standard which are the two major mainstream media houses in the country.
