Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, on Saturday, May 20, launched a scathing attack against the media which he accused of misleading the country through biased reporting.
Gachagua who was speaking at a thanksgiving ceremony in Nyandarua county, when he claimed that the media had deliberately mud-slinging President William Ruto's government.
In his seven minutes address, Gachagua noted that the media had turned a blind eye to the many achievements that President Ruto had earned within the first eight months of his administration.
"It is time to call out the media, especially, The Nation. Before elections, you worked with the Opposition to fight President William Ruto and ensure that he did not win the August 2022 General Election but you fail.
"Even in Gichugu where Raila's running-mate Martha Karua voted, they got very few votes. We all know that you will fail even in your current onslaught against Ruto's government," Gachagua stated.
The Deputy President then asked Kenyans to spread the word about the various achievements that President Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration had achieved within a short time.
"We know that the media will not report about it, but President Wiliam Ruto has achieved 50 per cent of the promises that he made to the people during campaigns," Gachagua claimed.
This was not the first time the Deputy President had accused the media of colluding with Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja to ensure that the Kenya Kwanza administration did not succeed.
On February 24, the Deputy President accused sections of the press of being sponsored by those he described as 'milk cartels' to reprimand him.
"Don’t bother about these people, forget about these characters since we know their sponsors," Gachagua claimed as he warned the media against biases.
In response, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) on February 24, raised concerns over continued attacks on the media by government officials noting that it was undermining its role to the public.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo that constant attacks on the media were exposing its members to risks of physical assault and eroding trust in its role as the society’s watchdog.
“The Media Council of Kenya is concerned with public utterances by key government officials against the media at public meetings. Such statements put journalists at risk as they may be attacked by members of the public,” stated Omwoyo.
“These attacks undermine the freedom of the press and attempt to undermine the role of the press in holding the government accountable, which is a foundation of democratic societies," Omwoyo warned.
