President Ruto warns the media of ‘irresponsible reporting’ in anti-gov't demos

President William Ruto wants the media to refrain from what he calls irresponsible reporting which encourages violence amid the ongoing nationwide demonstrations against his administration.

Speaking at a church service in Chebango, Bomet County on Sunday, Ruto said everyone, including members of the press, has a responsibility to ensure Kenya does not go “in the wrong direction.”

“I request the media to report responsibly. Reporting, celebrating and encouraging violence, destruction of property, anarchy and mayhem is irresponsible,” the President said.

“If the country goes in the wrong direction, there will be nothing to report and nowhere to report from. We must all act responsibly.”

Just last week, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) cautioned media houses against covering the anti-government protests in a manner that violates the Constitution.

CA Director General David Mugonyi said the media is mandated with a critical role of maintaining public order and sensitivity.

He said while Articles 33(1) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya guarantee freedom of expression and media independence, the said rights do not extend to “propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech, or advocacy of hatred.”

“The Programming Code for Broadcasting Services 2024, requires broadcasters to ensure that the content of news, current affairs and factual programmes are presented with sensitivity in the case of material likely to cause some distress to a substantial number of the audience, such as televised images of dead or seriously wounded people or animals,” Mugonyi said.

“Further, the code requires broadcasters to avoid inflicting undue shock and pain to families and loved ones of victims of crimes, crisis situations, disasters, accidents and other tragedies.”

The youth-led protests initially began last month over the Finance Bill, 2024, which sought to increase taxation, but while Ruto has since dropped the contentious draft bill, dissolved his Cabinet and pledged austerity by his government as he works towards an inclusive leadership, Kenyans are still protesting, calling for Ruto to resign.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), over 50 people have been killed in the protests due to violence blamed on Kenyan police.