Solidarity: Rights groups, victims of State excesses, rally behind 'Standard'

Human Rights Defenders confront pro-government goons who had planned to paralyse operations at Standard Group Headquarters along Mombasa Road on October 2, 2026. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

Despite what appears to be state-sponsored sustained threats and intimidation against Standard Group, rights defenders came out in their numbers to stand in solidarity with the media outlet, saying the threats amounted to an attack on the free press and democracy.

This was after a group of pro-government supporters  stormed the Group's headquarters along Mombasa Road in Nairobi on Friday morning, carrying placards and twigs.

The protesters accused the media house of publishing negative coverage of the government, which they described as “misinformation and propaganda.”Tensions flared for a short while when some of the demonstrators verbally exchanged with the activists.

The human rights activists condemned an attack on the Standard Group, calling for protection of media freedom and democratic space.

"Standard is the vanguard for human rights and democracy. We will not allow Standard Group to be humiliated because they are the last man now defending the people," said Kenya Human Rights Commission's rapid response officer, Odhiambo Ojiro, amid chants of press freedom and justice.

Ojiro accused the government of "using vulnerable young people to come and cause mayhem and to issue threats to the Standard Group," even as he urged the police to arrest those targeting Standard Group.

Free Kenya Movement leader Bob Njagi said: “We are here as rights defenders from different areas, and today we are here in solidarity with the media, not only KTN but all other media houses, and media freedom is also our fundamental right."

Njagi, who has been a victim of abductions previously, said attempts to intimidate the media by mobilising young people would not succeed.

“These goons are the ones who have been used to disrupt churches and political engagements, and now they are being sent to the media houses; this is after they were last sent to the Kenya Human Rights Commission,” he said.

Human Rights Defenders confront pro-government goons who had planned to paralyse operations at Standard Group Headquarters along Mombasa Road on October 2, 2026. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

The lobby groups were also joined by victims of State excess who said that the news outlet had stood with them in their tribulations and that they would hesitate to defend it.

"I am here because, were it not for the media, including The Standard and KTN, it wouldn't have been known that the police killed by son," said Jecinter Anyango whose 12-year-old son, Stephen Onyango, was killed by police bullet in Rongai during the 2024 Gen Z protests.

"President Ruto called me because the killing was highlighted by the media. I don't know what I would have done were it not for the media," she added, pointing at the portrait of her son on The Standard Newspaper front page that she was holding.

Linda Mwananchi, a youth leader in Nairobi, said the media was not an enemy of the State. A government that is uncomfortable with the truth, the answer to that should not be intimidation and threats.

The answer to that should not be abduction of media personalities. The answer to that should be the government responding to questions asked by the media and being accountable to the people," said Brian Okeja.

The protest followed a video that circulated online earlier in the week showing a group of young people accusing Standard Group of consistently publishing reports critical of President William Ruto’s administration. 

Human Rights Defenders confront pro-government goons who had planned to paralyse operations at Standard Group Headquarters along Mombasa Road on October 2, 2026. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

According to Tony Gachoka, a veteran journalist, the harassment and intimidation of Standard Group offends Article 34 of the Constitution which protects the freedom of press.

"This is retrogressive, barbaric and ancient. We condemn a government that cannot be held to account," he said outside Standard Group offices along Mombasa Road when he came to stand in solidarity with the media house.

He urged Ruto's regime not to drive the country back to the era when journalists were being attacked, blackmailed and injured, noting that it took hard-fought reforms to achieve the freedoms Kenyans enjoy today.

Reactions to the attack also came swiftly; the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) described it as a demonstration that the government is afraid of facing the electorate and an effort to muzzle media freedom.

"I thank members of the public who turned up to defend media freedom. We know the financiers of the attackers, and we will face and take the battle to their doorsteps." KUJ secretary general Eric Oduor said

Linda Mwananchi affiliate and communications specialist  Pauline Njoroge regretted that seeing the government mobilise goons to attempt to attack the Standard Media Group is one of the most disturbing.

“This is why we keep calling for a return to constitutionalism and the rule of law. We need to restore normalcy and decency in our country.” She stated

Kenyans online condemned the attack, asking the government to respect the freedom of the press.

“In our constitution there is freedom of expression in whichever way; hiring goons to silence the media is shameful and should not be entertained,” posted Andrew Mwangi

“I suspect those sponsoring the goons are bitter politicians who don’t want the truth and what affects Kenyans to be reported,” he added