Civil society organizations have condemned government officials, particularly Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, for recent attacks on the media.
In a joint press conference on Tuesday, Haki Africa, Amnesty Kenya, Usalama Forum, Defenders Coalition, the Paralegal Network, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission condemned Moses Kuria’s insults and threats to the media, calling on the CS to withdraw and apologise.
The groups claimed that Kuria’s threats to fire any government person who advertises with the Nation Media Group are not only unconstitutional and illegal but also an attempt to interfere with media independence.
“The recent threats by the Cabinet Secretary to send home any government agency advertising in one of the media houses in the country is not only unconstitutional and illegal but clearly communicates the State’s intention to interfere with the work of independent agencies in the country,” the groups pointed
“It is further an alarming attempt to stifle critical voices and undermines the media’s vital role as a watchdog,” they added.
The organizations encouraged the government to uphold the ideals of press freedom entrenched in the constitution and international human rights norms.
“As organizations dedicated to upholding human rights and promoting social justice, we firmly denounce any form of government interference or intimidation against media houses. Such actions undermine the democratic fabric of our nation, erode public access to information and hinder the advancement of a truly inclusive and informed society,” they said.
The groups urged the international community to watch the situation and exert diplomatic pressure on the government to protect press freedom and journalist rights.
Moses Kuria launched an attack on the media following an NTV exposé that revealed the country could lose billions of shillings due to the importation of 125 000 metric tons of edible oils.
The Kenya National Trade Corporation, which is part of the Ministry of Trade, single-sourced businesses to import the oil and sell it to it, rather than importing it directly from producers in Malaysia or Indonesia.
The media outlet has been doing a series of exposés on alleged graft in government. Kuria was recently named among high-profile Kenya Kwanza individuals who won expensive government contracts, some of which remain unfulfilled to this day.
The Azimio opposition coalition has since asked President William Ruto to declare his stand on the scandals and the action taken against individuals involved.
Media owners on Moses Kuria
Yesterday, the Media Ownership Association condemned Moses Kuria for threatening the Nation Media Group.
Kwa wale malaya wa Agha Khan pale Nation Centre. You can still advertise auctioneers and funeral announcements. We will not stop those
— CS Moses Kuria (@HonMoses_Kuria) June 18, 2023
In a statement, the association’s chairperson Agnes Kalekye termed Kuria’s foul language as a major disqualification for him to hold public office.
“It is unfortunate that Cabinet Secretary Kuria has chosen to threaten the media with withdrawal of State advertising. This is clear and unequivocal blackmail, contrary to the legal provisions with regard to State advertising and Constitution and intended to compel the Nation to change its reporting of important meters of governance. It behoves Kuria to understand that advertising by government and other state agencies is a legal obligation rather than a favor bestowed at the behest of himself and other public officials,” Kalekye noted.
