Lugari teacher Moses Gazemba is making headlines after leading pro-Ruto protesters in storming Standard Group’s headquarters along Mombasa Road, Nairobi, on Friday, October 2.
Armed with placards and twigs, Gazemba and his group demanded an end to what they described as negative coverage of President William Ruto’s administration by the media house.
Flanked by Sally Raghet and Nicholas Kilagat, leaders of the newly formed Youth for Ruto (YURO) movement, Gazemba accused The Standard, KTN, and their digital platforms of peddling misinformation and propaganda against the government. The demonstration has thrust the little-known teacher into the national spotlight.
Drama outside the Standard Group headquaters
The group attempted to enter the Standard Group premises but was stopped by security personnel and human rights activists who had gathered outside the media house. The confrontation heightened tensions at the scene as the activists challenged the protesters over their actions.
The demonstration came days after President Ruto criticized the Standard Group’s coverage of his administration, accusing the media house of publishing what he termed “extortionist propaganda.” Standard Group CEO Chaacha Mwita rejected the accusations and defended the company’s editorial independence.
In a statement issued after the protest, the Standard Group condemned what it described as an “unwarranted protest and name-calling” outside its premises, saying the incident amounted to an attack on media freedom and legitimate business.
The media house said it respects the constitutional right of Kenyans to protest and present grievances but argued that threatening journalists, intimidating media organizations, or attempting to force entry into their premises cannot be considered legitimate protest.
The Standard Group also said its journalism is guided by professionalism, the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism, and the public interest. It commended police officers for preventing the protesters from entering the compound and vowed to continue its editorial work despite the confrontation.
