Save us from Kuria's loose tongue, media practitioners now tell Ruto

Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria. [File, Standard] Pressure piled on President William Ruto last evening to rein in Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria following his attacks on media on Sunday. From media associations irked by the CS's remarks about Nation Media Group, to independent state agencies alarmed by his statements, all united to demand action. On Sunday while addressing participants at the Akorino Annual Convention in Embu, Kuria warned government departments against advertising with Nation Media Group. He later tweeted comparing journalists to prostitutes. "You people in the media, I want to tell you this. Nation media must make up its mind whether it is a newspaper, a media house or an opposition party. Starting today, if I see any government department having put an advert in the Nation, you will be sacked," Kuria fumed. Leading the chorus of condemnation was the industry regulator, the Media Council of Kenya. The council took great exception to his remarks, describing the attacks and profiling of journalists "a big threat to independent and free media". But perhaps more poignant was the council's recognition of Kuria's attacks as "the most extreme, since independence that individuals have pushed media and government relations to the brink and lowered the country's dignity." "The conduct of the Cabinet Secretary falls below the threshold as set out in Chapter Six of the Kenyan Constitution for state officers as well as Article 34 on media freedom since they amount to profiling and targeting of specific journalists working for a media house," MCK CEO David Omwoyo said. Kenya Editors' Guild President Zubeidah Kananu described Kuria's remarks as "unwarranted, uncalled for, and totally off-the-mark." Kananu said Kuria's statements had backpedalled the gains made in government-media relations. Kananu said Kuria's insults were "the highest form of insult to media professionals" and demanded unconditional apology from the CS. "Kuria's remarks have taken us back nearly 30 years ago when the late Mulu Mutisya, a one-party dictatorship zealot, described journalists in similar terms. Kuria must have slept through the revolution," she added. But if MCK and the Guild were being modest, Kenya Union of Journalists bared its fangs against the CS. Through its Secretary General Eric Oduor, the union described Kuria as a symbol of national shame, reminding him that he was now a CS. Kenya Editors' Guild President Zubeidah Kananu. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard] Oduor said as a CS, Kuria ought to promote positive image of the country in line with the tenets of leadership and integrity, instead of belching and "eventually vomiting on the shoes of hungry Kenyans, with impunity." "As the celebrated philosopher Plato said, leaders are mirrors of the society. It is our sincere hope that President William Ruto will save us from this national shame," KUJ said. Media Owners Association of Kenya (MoA) also condemned the utterances of the CS, describing his threat to withdraw state advertising a clear blackmail contrary to the law. MOA said Kuria's use of incendiary language disqualified him from holding a public office. MoA chair Agnes Kalekye appealed to the president to rein in his appointee, saying his conduct reflects badly on his office. "We wish to remind CS Kuria, as a public officer, he is duty bound to conduct himself in a way that does not bring his office into disrepute," MOA said. Nation Media Group, the target of Kuria's virulent attack, also condemned the utterances, linking them to their expose on duty-free edible oil import scheme undertaken by the Kenya National Trading Corporation which falls under the CS's docket. Through the utterances, the CS had gravely insulted Nation staff as well as the group's principal shareholder, His Highness the Aga Khan who has invested immensely in the development of Kenya and Africa at large, the Nation's statement signed by head of external affairs Clifford Machoka said. "The verbal attack using foul and crude language against Nation is shocking, primitive and inexcusable in the eyes of level-headed Kenyans who expect CSs to conduct themselves with decorum befitting their high office," Nation said. All the entities who condemned the CS's utterances hoped that his threats on government withholding government advertisement did not reflect the government policy. They also reminded the CS that he does not have the powers to superimpose himself on government departments undertaking their work. Media Council of Kenya Secretary General Eric Oduor. [File, Standard] Later in the evening, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission issued an advisory to public institutions and public officials on procurement of goods and services. The advisory was tailored as a warning against heeding to Kuria's threats. 'The constitution in Article 227 requires that public procurement be carried out in a system that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective. Consequently, no person can, lawfully, be denied an opportunity to participate in any public procurement except as may be authorized under the law," EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak said. EACC also warned that no state officer should be victimized on account of his lawful dealing relating to award of tenders. Mbarak issued a general call on all public officers to adhere to requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution and Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012. Kuria's outburst was not an isolated one. For the most part, Kuria is a combative and controversial individual in his own right. A leader more famous for his gaffes than positive contribution to national development and cohesion, he has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. In July 2015, for instance, Kuria walked out of a live television debate when pressed to give his side of the story on allegations that he incited youth to violence. In November last year, Kuria shocked Kenyans with the manner and choice of words with which he defended the importation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Save us from Kuria's loose tongue, media practitioners now tell Ruto

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