The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, Moses Kuria, has found himself embroiled in controversy after launching an attack on journalists in response to an investigative report by the Nation Media Group (NMG) over the weekend. The report shed light on an oil scandal in which the CS was implicated.
During a public rally on Sunday, Kuria leveled accusations against NMG, labeling the media group as an “opposition party” and issuing threats to terminate government agencies’ advertising contracts with the organization.
Shortly after his outburst at the rally, Kuria took to Twitter to further criticize the media house, going as far as referring to its journalists as prostitutes.
Kuria’s derogatory remarks caused a stir among Kenyan citizens on social media, with many expressing their dismay at his lack of decorum and calling for him to show respect for both himself and the office he holds.
Various journalistic bodies condemned Kuria’s actions, highlighting that his behavior not only undermines press freedom but also serves as a “symbol of national shame.”
“We would wish to remind Mr. Kuria that he is now a Cabinet Secretary whose actions and utterances should promote a positive image of Kenya as a nation.”
“In line with tenets of leadership and integrity law. His reactions to media reports regarding one of the many scandals that have hit Kenya Kwanza administration within a span of 10 months are not only an embarrassment to Kenyans, but a confirmation that his stomach is full and can belch and eventually vomit on the shoes of hungry Kenyans with impunity,” the journalists’ union said.
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