While addressing the press at State House on Sunday, April 2, 2023, Ruto asserted that his administration was in full support of the media and its operations irrespective of how ‘unfair they can be’.
The H**d of State also noted that the media played a vital role in society and as such, it should be left to carry out its duties.
While condemning the recent attacks on the media, Ruto dismissed claims that the government had launched attacks on the media during the demonstrations called by Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition.
He also opined that any deliberate attack meted out on the fourth estate would attract punitive measures from the government.
“I don’t think there is any deliberate attack on the media and if there was such deliberate attack on the media, I can tell you we would be opposed to it and we would not support it and we would actually deal with it because we believe that the media should be left to carry out its duties, its broadcasts, irrespective of how unfair they may be, it doesn’t really matter but the media should be left alone irrespective of how bias they may be,” he stated.
Earlier, Kenya Editor’s Guild president Churchill Otieno claimed that the Ruto-led administration was planning to shut down mainstream media and the internet ahead of opposition protests set for Monday, April 3, 2023.
“We have received reports of plans to shut down the broadcast media and internet ahead of tomorrow’s (Monday) demonstrations; taking this route will sink us all as a country,” Otieno said.
His sentiments were backed by Kanya Union of Journalists secretary general Eric Oduor.
“We have information that the government intends to shut down some television and radio stations, as well as internet connection so that Kenyans cannot know what happens during tomorrow’s demos,” Oduor said.
