State Can't Shun Advertising With Media Houses: Gachagua Tells Off CS Kuria

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised Trade CS Moses Kuria over his comments to stop advertising with certain media outlets. 

Gachagua stated that the government will allow the media to continue performing its duties. On Monday, Kuria voiced his disapproval of the Nation Media Group after NTV, a station under the company, relayed an expose that Cabinet Secretaries had triggered the cost of edible oils to plummet, a move that made the taxpayer lose about Sh5.6 billion. Kuria also threatened the media organization that they will not get advertisements from the government.

"I don't agree with Moses Kuria's suggestions that we should stop advertising with some Media Houses. But I agree with him that the Media has become rogue and it's part of the Azimio brigade trying to bring down the government. But that will not stop us from calling you out. When you go overboard, we must tell you on the face that is the strategy," he said.

Kuria said the only advertisement that they could not prevent from appearing in the NMG were those from auctioneers and funeral notices. NMG commented that the abusive and crude language used against them is inexcusable in the eyes of Kenyans who expect cabinet secretaries to conduct themselves with decorum.

The media house said this was not the first time CS Kuria had expressed aggression towards Nation Media and the press in general. Media watchdogs have also reprimanded him for his words, saying they are a menace to press liberty.

“It constitutes a serious violation of Chapter 4 Bill of Rights, particularly the freedom of the press. We note that the attacks on media have been sustained since the Kenya Kwanza government took office,” the statement reads.