NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 11- The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party has castigated the government for intimidating the media over the coverage of the raid in the home of former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi stated that the coalition is concerned over the emerging trend threats to journalists and media freedom in the country.
Wandayi pointed out that the move by the DCI and Media Council of Kenya to ask the media house to share photographic evidence of what unfolded in Matiangi’s raid was a move to conceal the truth.
“That warped and twisted logic was not meant to aid the investigations in any way but to cover it up and ensure journalists do not delve into such reporting going forward. The State wants to be allowed to act in complete darkness,” he said.
The Azimio Coalition warned that the threats to the Media are expected to increase for what they termed as anticipated failure to deliver to Kenyans on their manifesto pledges.
The Minority Leader cast aspersion of the President William Ruto administration saying they are meting their wrath on the media due to the pressure of Kenyans affected by the worsening economic situation in the country.
“The government wants to be allowed to act in darkness so that it can solidify impunity, corruption, and dictatorship. We must begin to speak out now before the emerging threats give way to journalists and citizens being killed or imprisoned,” Wandayi said.
Wandayi alleged that journalists and media houses have been threatened with dire consequences for reporting that Kenyans have died from famine resulting from ongoing drought and lack of food in various parts of the country.
“This is how the rains that water impunity and lead to a full bloom of dictatorship begins. We urge our citizens and elected leaders, even those in Kenya Kwanza to understand that when the State and its support cast begin to target the media, journalists are often mere collateral damage,” the Minority Leader stated.
“We urge the media, both local and foreign, to refuse to be cowed. We also ask all Kenyans to view threats to journalists and media as a whole are threats to our struggling democracy,” Wandayi added.
On Monday, Cheruiyot said the media and banking sectors are run by cartels who work to protect one another.
He said the two industries would prove difficult for President William Ruto to tame.
“President William Samoei Ruto will succeed in crushing every cartel in the country save for two that are extremely powerful. 1. KE Banks 2. KE Media both are very powerful, and influential and synergize so well to protect each other’s interests. For the public good, a way must be found,” he said.
His remarks were met with criticism from some media houses, who accused him of trying to interfere with the freedom of the press.
