Tag: Media

The State’s Muscles Flexing On NMG Journalist Walter Menya Sends A Chilling Message

Walter Menya was having a regular medical checkup at Metropolitan Hospital, BuruBuru when a man identified to him as Korros posing as a source of a juicy story called him for a meeting to pass over details of his dossier. Since he couldn’t make it to town where the fake source had suggested, they agreed to meet at the hospital. Unknown to Menya, this was a well laid out trap to get him. After a short chat with Korros, Menya was accosted by cops who demanded him to take them to his house upon refusal he was forced into a police car. According to his colleagues, it was inside the car where he was handed a newspaper inside there was 20K which later turned out to be treated money to close him up. The incident was taken in camera by the cops.

Menya would later be taken to CID HQ in Kiambu, and this is where the actual players and motive behind his arrest started to show their faces. The discredited and State’s online propaganda mercenaries broke the news of Menya’s arrest full with photos of the handcuffed journalists taken from restricted photography premises of CID this would only mean they were given via state agents. Initially, the online mercenaries privileged to be called 36bloggers under instructions as it has been said Menya was arrested for soliciting a bribe to kill a damaging story on the unnamed person, and that was the start of blunders.

The purveyors failed to name the accuser whom Menya had solicited bribe from and the particular details of the story that they termed as fake story a now famous phrase by bully U.S. President Trump that he uses to discredit any publication he seems negative on him Terming the unmentioned story by Menya as Fake would only mean he was exposing damaging details on influential person. Before going into details, if Menya was demanding a bribe to publish a story and not to kill a story then the best route is going to the employer and not police?

It has come to light that Menya had received a call from a PS on clarification to a story he had written earlier how top civil servants were amongst the high profile guests in the Uhuru’s fundraiser that raised 1B in hours. The senior officers were named as part of Friends of Jubilee Foundation rooting for his re-election. From his sources, Menya called KRA Commissioner-General John Njiraini and Energy PS Njoroge having attended Uhuru re-election fundraiser raising tens of millions to the kitty.

As an after thought, Nation writer Walter Menya accuser was named as Kiprotich Koros; the nan who posed as a source and police asked the court to detain Menya for three more days as they probe bribery claims. Comedic peak was the police said the accuser was too poor to pay rest of the demanded bribe I 50K having paid 20K which was spiked and handed in the car. According to the arrested journalist, while being taken in rounds, he overheard one of the officers saying “huyu mtu tumpeleke Karura tumalize” (this one we should take to Karura Forest and finish him) a threat that goes to confirm extrajudicial killings exist and Karura being their execution point. He was arrested by the dreaded flying squad suspected of being Kenya’s police hit squad.

The accuser Korros is a nobody in the picture but a mere implantation, who’s this powerful person he had irked with his writing. If indeed Menya had solicited for bribes and had received a prior pay of 20K via mpesa then that makes the accuser an accomplice to the crime of bribery, why is he not being accused?

Menya being denied bail on a bailable offense in the name of more time to collect evidence which is the new detention without trial was just but away to intimidate him further. It is inhuman that the journalists had to go without his routine medication since he was denied citing orders from above.

The lead investigator told the court that the complainant, who claims to have given cash to Menya, thought the money was going to NMG. Later he was informed by someone that NMG only changed to publish adverts and now news stories.

It didn’t come as a surprise when the newest recruit to the 36 assassins a Mr. Robert Alai posted what’s alleged to be a recorded conversation of Menya bargaining for the bribe. Since we value your time and intelligence, we’ve decided not to repost that kindergarten fabrication here. Menya was arrested and what followed immediately was character assassination and demonization. A public lynching and prosecution in the public court scheme initiated by 36 mercenaries before the truth could come out. The amount of state machinery applied in Menya’s shows there’s more than meets the eye.

Rather than attempting to kill a man’s credibility that he has built for ages, the unspoken reality is someone sending a warning to journalists against writing contrary to government’s hymns. Jubilee has had zero regards to press freedom, and this is yet again another hammer to the same. The script continues to unfold with laughable loopholes and factors arising but journalists and Kenyans must look beyond Menya, he’s being sacrificed to pass a message. Media is a crucial tool in a democracy, and infringing press rights amounts to undermining democracy and also interfering with the electoral process of public enlightenment. Civil servants must not engage in partisan politics as they’ve been, it is unconstitutional.

June 20, 2017
A Bright Career Killed, Willis Raburu From a Great Journalist to a Socialites Promoter

This is an intervention for Willis Raburu, Who has now become a male socialite and shame to the media fraternity.

We Kenyans of good will have witnessed the rise of Willis Raburu and would not like to see the good brains wasted by a complicit and corrupt Royal Media Services.

If you are not aware, Royal Media Service is the most corrupt media house in Kenya. Journalists working for Royal Media services especially the vernacular radio stations are the worst dogs. They are bribed by ethnic gods to create tension within the country. For Instance, Njogu Wa Njoroge is on the Payroll of Kikuyu politicians to promote the We against them narrative. Despite all these malpractices, the idiots err Bosses at the helm have refused to crack the whip of such ethnic zealots.

Willis Raburu started off well till he started hosting some Socialites in the infamous show called 10 Over 10. This is a show that promotes mediocrity and the whore culture because most of the fellas that flock the show are famous socialites and commercial sex workers like Huddah Monroe and Vera Sidika.

Why is the media introducing shows that won’t help this country? Shows like 10 over 10 and Nairobi Diaries should be done away with.

Willis Raburu, an exceptional mind in the media fraternity should not be interviewing socialites. We are watching our dear brother Willis make mistakes like Larry Madowo who has become a shame and bad example in the Kenyan media.

Old Camels like Caroline Mutoko and Sheila Mwanyigha promoted the whore culture and have had no real achievements as far as their legacy is concerned. They instead dumbed down the masses into believing that whoring around and becoming petty is a Godly act.

My brother Willis Raburu, we loved you when you used to read the news. Interviewing socialites is not your forte: Leave that to Larry Madowo and the likes of Maina Kageni.

Being a male socialite is a curse and must be detected and crashed. It is worse than prostitution. Look at the likes of Joe W Muchiri; his only life achievement is being drunk and bragging with alcohol on Instagram. Pathetic socialite if you ask me. Unlike many fake friends out there who don’t tell him the truth, I take this moment to urge Joe Muchiri to get a wife, get married and raise a family. Your agemates like Alai have already married.

But then, media standards in Kenya have diminished. Starting from Royal media services that has now reduced Willis Raburu to a socialites interviewer.

For instance, Royal Media Services owner SK Macharia used forged documents to transact a land deal 20 years ago; Police indicated in court documents when the case was hot off the press. This was a widely publicized case that embarrassed the media mogul. Do we expect this character SK Macharia to instill good media standards yet he is a renown fraud? Hell No!

Willis Raburu must sit down, reflect and see the direction his media career is heading toward. What will he be remembered for? He must avoid taking the course the likes of Maina Kageni and Caroline Mutoko took. Anybody can be a socialite promoter, but it takes courage and immense wisdom to be a revolutionary Journalist.

September 23, 2016
Eating Their Own, Kenyan Journalists Killing Journalism

Hundreds of journalists took to the streets in Kenya to protest against what they call continuous harassment, attacks, threats and free expression as enshrined in the constitution that was signed in 2010. Journalists accuse the police, politicians and governments for their harassments. “Journalism is a profession and not a crime, we should be allowed to do our job without threats” said George Otieno, a reporter with Baraka Fm, Mombasa.

When other journalists dare to hold street protests to demand respect for freedom of expression, the lazy ones sneak into politicians and enemy’s beds without editorial foreplay. They go against the ethics code and set regulations of the profession to fill their stomachs. Journalists should play a watchdog role for the society but professionals who brave themselves to uncover truths like Jicho Pevu’s Mohamed Ali and investigative reporter John Allan Namu have been never appreciated but treated as enemies of the state.
Responsible journalism is key but what really is responsible journalism? Members of the fourth estate may debate what constitutes responsible journalism. Truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality and accountability are some of the most common core principles and values that should outline the craft of journalism.

Responsible journalism is key but what really is responsible journalism? Members of the fourth estate may debate what constitutes responsible journalism. Truth and accuracy, independence, fairness and impartiality and accountability are some of the most common core principles and values that should outline the craft of journalism.
The same is not really the case among the practitioners of the profession in Kenya. Early this year it was widely misreported that African nations had agreed to pull out of ICC. The truth was that they were to go back to their respective countries and study the Kenyan proposal before making a decision.

Misreporting is rampant with reporters and media houses more focused on profit maximization. It is in Kenya where you have journalists a signed to specific political divides.
Citizen Tv’s Jacque Maribe majorly covers and reports jubilee events and stories, in fact there are rumours her son was sired by a prominent Jubilee politician. The talented reporter –cum- anchor has been accused of killing Cord stories covering Jubilee. Francis Gachuri from the same station whose piece was used by the defense in ICC cases at the Hague is one of the journalists in bed with politicians. Gachuri is an ethno-political chauvinist who reports all sorts of garbage after receiving a three bed roomed house gift from DP William Ruto.

Citizen Tv’s Jacque Maribe majorly covers and reports jubilee events and stories, in fact there are rumours her son was sired by a prominent Jubilee politician. The talented reporter –cum- anchor has been accused of killing Cord stories covering Jubilee. Francis Gachuri from the same station whose piece was used by the defense in ICC cases at the Hague is one of the journalists in bed with politicians. Gachuri is an ethno-political chauvinist who reports all sorts of garbage after receiving a three bed roomed house gift from DP William Ruto.

Former citizen Tv reporter Kendagor Obadiah, who covered Cord/ ODM like everyday is now said to be planning to get into politics. Commentators will be waiting to see the party and the seat he will be going for. It is not only journalists like the above mentioned and the likes of Jeff Koinange who lean on their ‘suitable’ political divides, Media moguls have endorsed presidential candidates in this country. Royal Media Services chairman SK Macharia supported Cord coalition in the last elections and almost fainted when Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner.

Former citizen Tv reporter Kendagor Obadiah, who covered Cord/ ODM like everyday is now said to be planning to get into politics. Commentators will be waiting to see the party and the seat he will be going for. It is not only journalists like the above mentioned and the likes of Jeff Koinange who lean on their ‘suitable’ political divides, Media moguls have endorsed presidential candidates in this country. Royal Media Services chairman SK Macharia supported Cord coalition in the last elections and almost fainted when Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner.

Star’s Oliver Mathenge is a known Statehouse errand boy and a propagandist clothed as a communication consultant to many Jubilee leaders including Sakaja and the Party’s script twist master. He recently confessed How love for Jubilee and announced that he would be vying for an elective post on a Jubilee ticket. He’s How bootlicking the NYS Grand Theft architect Ann Waiguru for the Kirinyaga seat. The scheme of Oliver and these political journalists is to be owned by the political affiliation with fattest wallets so as to control and push their agendas on the media. Here’s the cartel that we’re soon exposing in details.

How do you achieve responsible journalism in an environment like this where media owners endorse politicians to have ‘favourable’ environment for their businesses, reporters and editors depend on payolas to find angle for their stories. Some media houses like Mediamax are owned by high profile politicians in power. Broke media houses stoop below ethics to get government advertisements and lay off workers who cover stories that put the government and big cooperate organizations like safaricom in bad light.

September 23, 2016
Self-Censorship: To Say That Kenyan Media is In Love With The Politicians is An Understatement

A Kenyan journalist carries a plastic replica of a camera as he participates in a protest along the streets of Nairobi, denounce the new draconian laws

In a normal society, people like Gatunda MP Moses Kuria and his Kabete counterpart Ferdinand Waititu would either be doing time in Kamiti or having sessions with the shrinks of Mathare. Their counterpart, Ababu Namwamba, would probably be a dim figure in shirtsleeves struggling to address the concerns of his poor voters down in Budalang’i.

But in Kenya, these people are superstars that strut the national stage like peacocks, thanks to the thoughtlessness of our news media, which have turned them into household names. In a country whose media is obsessed with hoisting politicians to heights above all other categories, it is not a surprise that the ignominious Kuria/Waititu duo and the politically callow Namwamba, among others, claim a place among Kenya’s famed.

To say that Kenyan media is in love with the politicians is an understatement; the country’s journalists worship the very ground on which politicians walk. Every foul-mouthed ignoramus is worth quoting, as long as they hold political office So important have media made politicians that political events and statements of nil public interest, nay of negative impact, are splashed on front pages of newspapers and covered live on Prime Time TV.

The events of mid-June are a classic example of how media engage in their beloved pastime called political melodrama. As my reader may know, Kuria and Waititu and four others were arrested for hate mongering. Any person of average intelligence would have thought that here was a case of suspected criminals being subjected to due process, with media performing the simple role of reporting and interpreting the news of their arrest and prosecution.

Ababu Namwamba and Counterpart Otuoma

But not so Kenya’s media which, as usual, decided to dramatise the dishonorable affair, in the process creating heroes and heroines out of the suspected criminals. The mere fact that the suspects were politicians was enough for editors to allocate acres of scarce space and important time to the events surrounding their arrest.

Before you get me wrong, let me explain that, at this moment in Kenya’s history, anyone spreading ethnic hate has more potential to hurt the country than a terrorist. Therefore it is quite in order for the media to focus national attention on the threats caused by hate speech. But when media abandon the real story to concentrate on sideshows simply because the personalities involved happen to be politicians, then anyone who understands the role of media in society must be worried. Ditto the comedy that was Namwamba’s abdication of his post as secretary-general of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) last month.

Well, a senior official of a big political party calling it quits in controversial circumstances certainly qualifies as significant news, but I doubt that it deserves to occupy the minds of Kenyas for days on end. There is a problem when such issue is overplayed, in the process obfuscating deserving issues and creating heroes and anti-heroes out of personalities that do not possess such qualities. To cut to the chase, Namwamba’s exit from ODM does not mean that the community to which he belongs has changed political direction, as the media would have us believe.

Exciting but meaningless Suppose it was the CEO of, say Kenya Commercial Bank, who had thrown in the towel, citing frustration from some senior quarters, would there have been such media interest as there was following Namwamba’s “grand altercation” with his party and eventual exit? Now that the season of madness is approaching, with the elections just a year away, prepare for exciting but meaningless drama that is Kenya’s political campaign as it will be brought to you by our overzealous, politics-loving journalists.

Figures provided by the same media show that the number of news media consumers has been dwindling by the day. One wonders if media have ever stopped to

ask themselves why readers and viewers are abandoning them in droves, alongside the much-valued advertisements. Well, journalists may defend themselves that politicians belong to the group of the famous. Famous people, they will say, are more interesting than regular people because they are simply better known.

Therefore, more people will read news about them. That may be the case. Indeed, some politicians, like the President, are not only famous but also hold positions that directly affect the lives of the citizens. But the question is, what is it that these “famous” or prominent people are reported doing, or saying. Is what they are reported doing significant to the public? The ideal of journalism – and this is the main reason why media are protected by the Constitution – is that media serve the public interest by putting to task the powerful to explain themselves and justify the decisions they make on behalf of the rest of society.

Ideally, journalists are expected to interrogate the behavior of the powerful on behalf of the people. Unfortunately, most of our journalists hardly do this; most are happy to simply report the theatrics on the political stage. Since Kenyan politics usually has little in terms of news value, reporters tend to focus on the conflicts and controversies, the schemes and struggles within it to make it look exciting and dramatic. This is how the likes of Kuria find themselves on page one of national newspapers.

Deliberate ploy to divert attention Journalist ought to explore and cover issues that most concern their readers and listeners, not merely relaying the drama at rallies and useless sound bites from press conferences. Some observers think that the focus by media on the frivolous and on the dramatics is a deliberate design by the middle class owners of media and the editors to divert attention from the real issues affecting society. Like religion, media can be used to intoxicate people. This is not a far-fetched accusation against a media that has, in the past, been guilty of both the sin of sensationalism and that of self-censorship, sins that have had negative implications for both the journalism and the democratic process in Kenya.

In the run-up to the 2007 election, some media were accused of sensational reporting, and contributing to the post-election conflict that followed those disputed elections. And ashamed of their contribution to the conflict, media in 2013 decided to go the way of self-censorship by downplaying potentially controversial election stories and denying Kenyans important information on the elections, also disputed. Now, with 2017 election just around the corner, media are not sure of themselves. This is why, perhaps, they are now mistaking shadows for the real things.

Adopted from Nairobi Law Monthly

September 9, 2016