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Outspoken lawyer Miguna Miguna has asked public officials to act with decorum even when annoyed with the Press saying attacks on the fourth estate will earn the media sympathy even when at fault.
Miguna said inasmuch as he has previously been a victim of the media, he cannot join the bandwagon and support attacks on the Press.
“Some of us are victims. But that can’t justify us joining them in anger, any government that reacts with anger and vindictiveness at a media house, it will only draw sympathy,” Miguna said.
His reactions on Twitter followed demeaning utterances by Trade CS Moses Kuria following an expose by NTV.
The report carried by the media outlet alleged that Cabinet secretaries orchestrated a ploy that led to the drop edible oil prices resulting in the loss of about Sh5.6 billion taxpayers’ money.
Kuria used unprintable words to describe the media house and threatened State officials with dismissal should they continue placing adverts with the organisation.
Various leaders and organisations called out Kuria over the unwarranted attacks on the media which they said amounted to commercial censorship and infringement on press freedom.
Media owners and journalists’ unions told off Kuria and asked President William Ruto to rein in on members of his administration whose conduct was unbecoming.
Miguna, however, said whilst positive criticism against the media was apt where they are found to have erred, the criticism should be constructive particularly if it’s coming from public officials.
“I’m not saying Kenyans shouldn’t criticise them. Of course, we must do that. What I am calling for is that those holding public office exercise restraint and conduct themselves in a manner that advances the public interests,” Miguna said.
“Threats and other acts of vindictiveness must be avoided by those in power. We must build a civilised, prosperous, democratic country governed by the rule of law. Not led by kifua!” he added.
A section of social media users and the opposition have called for Kuria’s resignation from the Cabinet.
Kuria has, however, insisted that he stands by what he said and will not apologise.
While appearing before Senate on Wednesday to answer questions related to his ministry, the CS said he previously worked in the media and has been a media owner before and knows when a media house is being used.
“I am not apologising. My friend, I have been a media owner before. I have been a writer in your newspapers and all that before. There’s nobody who is pro-media more than me but I know the difference between media and what Stanley Baldwin called the Prerogative of the Harlot – the exercise of power without responsibility,” Kuria said. BY THE STAR