Editor's Review

49% of the journalists feel safe working with Raila's Azimio la Umoja camp while 31% feel safe with Ruto. 

Most journalists in the country feel safer and more comfortable working with the Azimio la Umoja Presidential candidate Raila Odinga than Kenya Kwanza's candidate William Ruto.

This is according to a report released by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, a survey conducted by the Media Council of Kenya revealed that 49% of the journalists feel safe working with Raila's Azimio la Umoja camp as compared to 31% who feel safe working with William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza camp.

The survey further revealed that only 17% of the journalists feel comfortable working with George Wajackoya of the Roots Party.

"Most journalists feel safer and more comfortable working with Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja Coalition than with Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza. A survey by the Media Council to gauge the perception of media and journalists towards the presidential candidates indicates 49 percent feel safer working with Raila while Ruto received 31 percent backing Only 17 percent felt comfortable covering Root party’s Wajackoya," read the statement from MCK.

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According to MCK, most journalists shunned away from the DP over the frequent removal of journalists from Ruto's meetings.

"The discomfort by media has been attributed to the frequent removal of journalists from Ruto’s functions including during the Party national delegates Conference and public gatherings in Njoro, Nakuru County," added MCK.

Media Council of Kenya (MCK) CEO David Omwoyo. Photo: Courtesy

In addition, Ruto's low preference was attributed to his recent threats to boycott the upcoming presidential debate organized by the Media Owner’s Association, the Kenya Editors Guild, and the Media Council of Kenya.

It was reported that Ruto's UDA’s senior communications team also boycotted a meeting convened by the Media Council to forge a working relationship with pollsters, editors, and political party communications teams in June, opting to send junior staff, hence affecting the coalition's preference among most journalists.

MCK also accused Ruto, saying his supporters have sustained social media hate campaigns against established media houses. Kenya Kwanza supporters have been accused of using derogatory terms to define media and selected journalists.