'You have become rogue, but..." Gachagua tells media as he disagrees with Moses Kuria on advertising

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended remarks made against a section of the media by Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.

Kuria on Sunday attacked the Nation Media Group (NMG) accusing the media house of being “an opposition party”,  before making a roadside declaration directing government agencies to stop advertising with the media house, failure to which they would be sacked.

“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,” said Kuria on Sunday in Embu.

And speaking on Monday in Mombasa, the Deputy President appeared to echo Kuria’s remarks, stating that the media have become “rogue” and part of the opposition brigade which he claimed is trying to bring the government down.

Gachagua however denounced Kuria’s call of withdrawing government advertising from the Nation Media Group.

“I want to assure you, the Nation newspapers... Whereas I agree with Moses Kuria that you have become rogue and you are part of the Azimio brigade of trying to bring down the government, I don’t agree with what he has suggested. We shouldn't because we are a democracy and we should be able to allow you to continue doing your job. Ours is to call you out,” said the DP.

He added: “When you go overboard we must tell you on the face. That is the strategy.”

Kuria’s controversial remarks have drawn sharp reactions with various groups including the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Kenya Editors' Guild strongly condemning the Trade CS.

The Nation Media Group has also issued a reaction demanding an apology and withdrawal of the remarks that insulted its journalists.