Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reiterated the recent statements made by Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and other senior political figures regarding the need to hold the media accountable.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), DP Gachagua emphasized that the Kenya Kwanza government has ushered in a new era where the press cannot escape scrutiny.
Gachagua acknowledged that the media has criticized the political class for many years, but now, the tables have turned. He commended Moses Kuria for challenging reports by the Nation Media Group (NMG) that implicated his ministry in an oil scandal. Gachagua urged other politicians to follow Kuria’s lead in holding the press accountable.
The Deputy President also expressed his belief that courts should issue gag orders to prevent journalists from “criticizing” politicians. He argued that if Moses Kuria can be restrained from scrutinizing the press, then the same should apply to media outlets when it comes to criticizing leaders. Gachagua emphasized the need for equity and fairness in this new era.
While addressing the media, Gachagua welcomed them to the “new Kenya” but also cautioned that there would be reciprocal pushback if necessary. He recognized that there might be initial clashes, but assured that understanding and cooperation would prevail over time.
The call for media accountability has sparked a lively debate, with some supporting the notion of holding journalists responsible for their reporting, while others emphasize the importance of press freedom and the role of media in democratic societies.
As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how this renewed focus on media accountability will unfold and what impact it will have on the relationship between the press and the political class in Kenya.
