Kuria Stands By Slur on Media, Says He Will Not Apologize

Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has insisted that he will not apologize for his recent slur on the media, saying that he knows the difference between a media house that is being used and one that is not.

Kuria, who is a former media owner, made the remarks on Wednesday after appearing before the Senate plenary to answer questions raised by senators.

“I am not apologizing. My friend, I have been a media owner before. I have been a writer in your newspapers and all that before. There’s nobody who is pro-media more than me but I know the difference between media and what Stanley Baldwin called the Prerogative of the Harlot, the exercise of power without responsibility,” Kuria said.

Kuria’s outburst followed an expose by NTV, a station under the Nation Media Group, where it alleged that Cabinet Secretaries were responsible for the drop in the price of edible oils. The move allegedly made the taxpayer lose about Sh5.6 billion.

Kuria has accused the Nation Media Group of propelling negative stories about the government, and he has threatened to sack any government official who advertises with the media house.

The media group has denied the allegations, and it has said that it is committed to providing accurate and unbiased reporting.

The Kenya Union of Journalists has also condemned Kuria’s remarks, saying that they are an attack on press freedom.

It remains to be seen whether Kuria will face any consequences for his remarks. However, his comments have sparked a debate about the role of the media in a democracy.