Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has leveled accusations against some Kenyan northern region leaders, whom he claims have been involved in harassing journalists and masterminding a boycott of the press roundtable that was scheduled to be held at his Karen residence in Nairobi.
According to his statement, Gachagua alleged that the leaders forced journalists and media owners to pressure local radio stations in Mandera, Garissa, Marsabit, Wajir, and Isiolo not to broadcast the interview.
He further said that the action was planned and setting in motion by the same leaders who were eager to suppress alternative viewpoints and limit public scrutiny on their way of ruling the region to their own advantage.
Gachagua claimed that the threatened journalists were being controlled by the leaders that were scared of the truth coming out and wanted to keep their certain managers unaccountable for their deeds.
Gachagua said that media freedom is a great blessing that should always be preserved, and attempted shutdown of journalists’ work leads to a situation where democracy is weakened and the people’s right to access information is taken away.
Besides media houses and journalists, the former deputy president also invited civil society to join him in resisting all types of intimidation.
He also pointed out that open dialogue and freedom of speech are the main pillars for good governance and hence everyone should be allowed to participate in leadership that is truly representative.
