Nairobi, Kenya, Mar 7 – The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) has termed the statement by Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot describing the media as a cartel as reckless and worrying.
In a statement, the Guild’s president Churchill Otieno said the utterances were an open threat to the media.
“It is dumbfounding that the Senator sees the media as a cartel rather than a catalyst of Kenya’s democratic discourse without which, many politicians of his like would never have emerged to become anything worth quoting,” said Otieno.“It is expected that Mr Cheruiyot is aware of the constitutional avenues available to people or entities who for whatever reason feel aggrieved by the media.”
He urged the senator to approach the Media Complaints Commission should he have any competent claim against the media.
The indicated that it is the mandate of national leaders to promote rule of law and they should not chose the rule of the jungle on any matter.
“All national leaders have a duty to promote the rule of law and it is very concerning when a key leader in parliament chooses the rule of the jungle on any matter,” said Otieno.
He added; “If we are to take his comment seriously, the Senator is saying that the president is keen to crush the media. We hope he is wrong and that president Ruto and his government have no such designs.”
The guild has called upon the senator to approach the Media Complaints Commission should he have any competent claim against the media.
