Gospel musician Reuben Kigame has hit out at the Kenyan media, stating that the outlets are focusing on too much politics at the expense of social issues affecting Kenyans.
The enda nasi hitmaker stated that the media has neglected important issues like insecurity and the drought that is ravaging a section of the country.
“I urge the media to do more in covering the insecurity in Laikipia, West Pokot, Marakwet, and Baringo than prioritizing Ruto, Raila, and Musalia tiffs,” Kigame stated.
The presidential candidate also took issue with what he called "preferential coverage of certain presidential candidates" by the media.
“They follow them to church as if their lives and movements around the country are more important than those of starving and dying Kenyans,” he added.
While appearing on Spice FM's breakfast show, dubbed the Situation Room on September 7, Standard Group's political editor Roselyne Obala, defended the media, stating that most Kenyans are interested in politics.
“Even if it is a disaster story in the headline, you will not miss a politics story tacked somewhere. Why? Because that is what the audience wants,” Obala stated, adding that every aspect of our lives is dependent on political goodwill.
“If you look at the statistics every single day, and if you look at media coverage across the platforms, you will find that politics fly,” she added.
The editor further stated that the media cannot ignore politics because besides serving the public interest, they must also take care of their commercial interests.
However, Kigame responded to her argument, stating that prioritizing politics is not a problem. But doing it regularly to near obsession levels is what he has a problem with.
"It's unfortunate that the Kenyan media is obsessed with political personalities. The last time I checked, I was a Kenyan as well, and I like issues more than personality squabbles,” Kigame stated.
In April 2021, the enda nasi hitmaker announced that he will be vying for the presidency in the 2022 General Election as an independent candidate.
"Tough times require tough decisions and mine is such," Kigame tweeted back then, joining the 2022 General Election race.
He will battle it out with political heavyweights like Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
