Gatundu South MP Kagombe to table Bill seeking reduction of gov't adverts in mainstream media

Gabriel Kagombe, MP for Gatundu South, has introduced a Bill in the National Assembly that will see the government reduce advertising in mainstream media in favour of 'digital options.'

The MP, who spoke at the Mutunguru Secondary School High-speed Internet launch on Saturday, said he had already notified the Speaker about the motion.

The legislator stated that the government was keen on taming 'rogue media,' and explained that he will seek an amendment to the Procurement Act, specifically article 62, which requires all government advertisements to be published in at least two national newspapers.

"Sasa mimi nimeleta amendment kwa Procurement Act ambayo nimeshafikisha kwa Speaker kwamba kipengele cha sitini na mbili ambacho kinasema advertisement ya serikali lazima iwekwe katika gazeti mbili wit National circulation... sasa hiyo mambo imekwisha.'' Kagombe said. 

The MP claims to have recently discovered that "newspaper people print about 20,000 copies" and then "pretend to have informed everyone."

"Sisi tumegundua kwamba mnaprint 20,000 copies halafu mnasema mmefikishia kila mtu , sasa tunataka hawa vijana wanafanya kazi kwa digital  Ikiwemo hii nyule ya Mutunguru where tumeleta high speed internet wapate kubenefit kutoka kwa serikali," he added.

In light of his discovery, the MP says the government will explore the possibility of disseminating information through the digital space in order to create more jobs, particularly for youth enrolled in the Ajira program.

"Kwa hivyo amendments will be coming on Wednesday kwa bunge ndio sasa hawa vijana wanafanya kazi ya Ajira wapate ajira kutoka kwa serikali," the MP said . 

During the Saturday event, the MP did not hide his disdain for the media, accusing some publishers of pocketing government funds while still publishing false and negative stories.

"Naona hii watu ya magazeti mko hapa, mtawachana na sisi, hamuwezi kuwa kazi yenu ni kuandika mambo ya mbaya serikali, lakini yenu ile mnafanya hamwambii watu," said Kagombe. 

The latest comes after Trade CS Moses Kuria threatened a crackdown on any government agency found advertising with the Nation Media Group (NMG).

Speaking in Embu a fortnight ago, Kuria said: “I want to tell Nation Media, you need to choose whether you are a newspaper, broadcasting house or an opposition party. From today, not even tomorrow, if any government department advertises with Nation Media, know you are on your way home.”

Kuria was seemingly responding to an exposé NMG ran,  exposing an oil scandal allegedly orchestrated by his ministry.