The Media Council of Kenya has criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for what it termed as a dangerous and reckless attack on Citizen TV’s Stephen Letoo.
The Council says naming and vilifying the journalist amounts to incitement and puts his life at risk. It warns that such intimidation threatens media freedom as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election.
In a strongly worded statement, released on Thursday, the Council described Gachagua’s remarks on December 3, 2025, as “reckless and dangerous”, noting that he had publicly singled out Letoo by name, labelled him “the worst journalist”, accused him of bias, and demanded his dismissal by Royal Media Services.
According to MCK, such conduct is intolerable from any political leader and represents a direct threat to media independence.
The Council emphasised that targeted attacks on individual journalists by senior political figures are utterly unacceptable and pose a direct threat to their safety and lives.
It noted that Kenya continues to experience tension at political rallies, church gatherings, and public events where disputes over mobilization often escalate, and warned that singling out a journalist by name constitutes incitement and places him in grave personal danger.
MCK said the timing of Gachagua’s attack further heightened the gravity of the issue. As the country moves steadily towards the 2027 General Election, the Council argued that the public relies more than ever on a free press to scrutinise those seeking higher office.
It stressed that “this is precisely the time when citizens and the media must be free to scrutinise aspiring leaders, examine their records, and report facts without fear or favour.”
The statement warned that political intimidation is incompatible with democratic values, adding that when figures who claim to champion democracy resort to intimidation and demand the sacking of journalists simply for fulfilling their constitutional duty, they must be unequivocally condemned.
Reasserting constitutional protections for the media, MCK reminded political leaders that journalist safety is anchored in national law.
The Council said, “media freedom and journalists’ safety are non-negotiable, enshrined in Article 34 of the Constitution and fundamental to our democracy.”
It added that any attempt to silence journalists through threats or harassment is a direct assault on Kenya’s constitutional order.
In a pointed message to political actors, both current and former, the Media Council urged leaders to immediately refrain from inflammatory comments and acts that could expose journalists to harm.
“We urge all leaders, current and former, to immediately stop targeting, threatening, or inciting harm against journalists,” the statement read.
The Council also called on relevant state agencies to be alert to such behaviour and take proactive measures to protect media workers facing heightened risks.
It urged authorities to ensure that threats made in public spaces do not go unchecked, noting that “law-enforcement agencies should note such statements and provide adequate protection to media workers who face growing risks while carrying out their duties.”
Reaffirming its commitment to press freedom, the Media Council insisted that the country’s newsrooms will not bow to political pressure.
It declared that the media will not be silenced by intimidation. Those seeking public office must accept scrutiny rather than attempt to suppress it.
MCK concluded its statement by encouraging citizens to uphold democratic values and support a free, independent press, especially at a moment when Kenya is entering a politically sensitive period.
