The era of switching off the media is behind us- President Ruto

President Ruto told the nation from State House, Nairobi, that Kenya has already passed the point where the media can be turned off.

He appeared to allay the Kenya Media Sector Working Group's concerns about alleged plans to gag the media, shut down internet services, and plunge the country into "information darkness."

"Just for the record...take it from me, Kenya has come a long way, the era of swictching off this or that... that is way behind us," President Ruto said. 

"I have said that we will support the right of the media to carry out its function.... you have our absolute support... irrespective of how biased you are against us, we will support you," 

At the same time, the President stated that the media has put him in a difficult position, but that there are no plans for a media blackout.

"If we exchange positions, if you stand where I'm standing you guys would have switched off the media... but us we will not," he added. 

During his speech, President Ruto also urged Raila Odinga, the opposition leader, to call off the planned protests.

According to the President, the majority of the issues raised by the former Prime Minister can be addressed through a bipartisan parliamentary process.

He meanwhile emphasized that the protests over the last three weeks nearly threw the country into chaos, killing three people, including a police officer, and injuring at least 400 others.