President William Ruto has escalated his public fallout with former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, accusing the KANU chairman of neglecting workers at the Standard Group while allegedly using the media house to pursue political interests.
In a fresh attack on Thursday, the President claimed Gideon, whom he described as a billionaire, had hidden behind debts as employees allegedly continued to work for months without pay.
“Bro, the BILLIONAIRE you are; HIDING behind ‘debts’; forcing many months’ UNPAID labour slaving to defend your STANDARD headlines extortion GANGSTERISM driven by GREED; is HEARTLESS to loyal workers, INSULT to journalism and BETRAYAL to free media that STANDARD once belonged,” Ruto said.
The remarks came barely a day after the President accused the Standard newspaper of running what he termed misleading and politically motivated headlines aimed at discrediting his administration.
His latest comments have now shifted the focus from the newspaper’s editorial coverage to the welfare of its employees, thrusting the long-running issue of delayed salaries at the media house back into the public spotlight.
For years, Standard Group has faced financial challenges, with journalists and other employees occasionally raising concerns over salary delays. The company has previously attributed some of its financial strain to outstanding debts, including unpaid government advertising bills.
Ruto’s latest remarks are expected to deepen the public standoff between State House and one of Kenya’s oldest media houses, with attention now turning to whether Gideon Moi or the Standard Group will respond.
The exchange also comes on the eve of the June 25 anniversary protests, adding another layer to an already charged political atmosphere as the country braces for demonstrations in several towns.
