Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has sparked fresh debate over media independence in Kenya after alleging that President William Ruto has influence over some of the country’s leading media houses.
In a video shared widely on Tuesday, March 17, Nyoro questioned the credibility of news coverage from major outlets, claiming that what Kenyans consume may not be as independent as it appears.
“Habari mnazoona si za ukweli vile mnafikiria… zina handwriting ya mtu,” Nyoro said in Swahili, suggesting that news content reflects the influence of an individual rather than objective reporting.
The legislator pointed to Nation Media Group, which owns Daily Nation and NTV Kenya, as well as Radio Africa Group, the parent company of Kiss FM, Classic 105 and Radio Jambo, as institutions he claims are under influence.
Nyoro further referenced recent developments involving Nation Media Group, where Tanzanian businessman Rostam Aziz acquired a significant stake from the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, ending decades of control by the Aga Khan.
While the transaction has been publicly presented as a regional investment, Nyoro raised questions about the structure of such deals.
“Mnaambiwa ni investors wa nje, lakini kuna wenyewe wako nyuma,” he said, alleging that foreign investors could be acting as proxies for undisclosed local interests.
Nyoro’s remarks come amid shifting political dynamics, with the MP, once a key ally of President Ruto, emerging as a vocal critic on governance and accountability issues.
However, there is no official public record linking President Ruto to ownership stakes in either Nation Media Group or Radio Africa Group.
The claims have triggered mixed reactions, with the video circulating widely online and drawing attention to broader questions about media ownership and transparency in Kenya.