Journalist Ali Manzu has told off Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua for criticizing journalists who interviewed President William Ruto on Sunday night.
Mutua, who previously worked as a journalist, had questioned the ability of journalists selected by different media houses to interview the President on national issues.
According to Mutua, the journalists on board last night did not match the wit and skills of veteran journalists like John Simbi Okumu, Louis Otieno and Julie Gichuru.
“Journalists of the calibre of John Simbi Okumu, Louis Otieno, Julie Gichuru et al. The media should give such interviews respect by bringing forth their best. Why is Linus Kakai, for example, not here? We need seasoned, skilled, charismatic and deeply knowledgeable journalists for such moments. An interview with a President with a PhD is no walk in the park. It requires preparation and skill, even the ability to think on one’s feet. For the media to reclaim its place, Media Owners must invest in human resources, not buildings!” Mutua wrote.
In a clapback message, Manzu, who was among the journalists selected to interview Ruto, told off Mutua, claiming he (Mutua) had no impact during his time as a journalist.
“I was not taught to reply to elders, but please allow me to say this. You came, you saw and did nothing. While others (John Sibi Okumu) were trying to build the media space for us, you were busy awarding TV sets and taking pictures. With due respect, allow us to try and delete that kind of absurdity. I’m still searching for wisdom from you during your term, I can’t find any useful one. Mzee samahani sana Mzee, wazeeka vibaya. Kisha jifunze kusalimia watu, sio kujipitisha na mpiga picha. Sorry, but I had to say so. Sikuchukii Mzee. Show us the way,” Manzu wrote.
Mutua’s previous job
Before exiting the media space to join public service, Mutua served as the Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Journalists between 2001-2007.
He had worked as a journalist with the Nation Media Group for nine years from 1994 to 2002, rising from a trainee reporter to an editor.
