Kenya Union of Journalists(KUJ) has sent a message of outrage to Investments, Trade & Industry Cabinet Secretary(CS) Moses Kuria following his recent attacks on Nation Media Group.
In a statement on Monday, June 19, 2023, the union stated that Kuria’s latest stunt – after being linked to an illegal oil importation deal – is juvenile behaviour far below the dignity of his office and has now turned into national shame.
Further, the union’s secretary general Erick Oduor called for the sobriety of the CS noting that it is high time for President William Ruto to take the necessary action.
“Sober up, you are becoming a national shame. We would wish to remind Kuria that he is now a Cabinet Secretary whose actions and utterances should promote a positive image of Kenya as a nation. It is our sincere hope that President William Ruto will save Kenyans from this nation’s shame,” the statement read in part.
KUJ further opined that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua should also chime in on the matter.
“While we support the ongoing initiatives by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to deal with the impact of rampant consumption of alcohol in the country, it is our opinion that for this war to bear fruits, he should cast the net wider to rid the county of leaders who are not in control of their faculties,” Oduor added.
“I can assure Kuria that the media will outlive his political career and we will be waiting with glee to write his political obituary.”
Kuria was on Sunday accused of turning the powers of his trade CS position against the news media, escalating his attacks on NMG after warning government institutions against advertising on the local media station after the exposé.
“Decide whether you are a newspaper, broadcasting media house or an opposition party. I have said from today, if I see any government institution advertising on this media station, you can consider yourselves jobless,” Kuria remarked during a religious gathering in Embu.
In retaliation, Kuria also tweeted in mockery of the media house, stating that ‘advertisers that are allowed to advertisers on the said media station are only ‘prostitutes’.
“Kwa wale m****a wa Aga Khan pale Nation Centre. You can still advertise auctioneers and funeral announcements. We will not stop those,” the tweet read.
