The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks he made against Citizen TV journalist Stephen Letoo.
The comments were made on Wednesday, December 3, where Gachagua openly criticised the journalist and called for his dismissal.
In a statement on Thursday, December 4, the council has warned that such comments by a senior political figure put the journalist’s life at risk.
"The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) strongly condemns the reckless and dangerous remarks made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on 3 December 2025, in which he publicly named Citizen IV journalist Stephen Letoo, labelling him "the worst journalist", accusing him of bias, and demanding his dismissal by Royal Media Services.
"Such targeted attacks on individual journalists by senior political figures are utterly unacceptable and pose a direct threat to their safety and lives. In a climate already fraught with insecurity at political rallies, church gatherings, and public events-where disputes over mobilisation often escalate into violence singling out a journalist by name constitutes incitement and places him in grave personal danger," the statement read.
Read More
MCK stated that the country is entering a sensitive political period and the media must be allowed to operate freely.
"As Kenya edges towards electioneering ahead of the 2027 General Election, this is precisely the time when citizens and the media must be free to scrutinise aspiring leaders, examine their records, and report facts without fear or favour," the statement added.
MCK further criticised leaders who use intimidation while claiming to support democracy and reminded political leaders that media freedom is protected by the Constitution.
"When figures who claim to champion democracy resort to intimidation and demand the sacking of journalists simply for fulfilling their constitutional duty, they must be unequivocally condemned.
"The Media Council remindd Gachagua and all political actors that media freedom and journalists' safety are non-negotiable, enshrined in Article 34 of the Constitution and fundamental to our democracy," the statement further read.
MCK called on security agencies to ensure journalists are protected, adding that the media will continue doing its work despite intimidation.
"We urge all leaders, current and former, to immediately stop targeting, threatening, or inciting harm against journalists. We further call on law-enforcement agencies to note such statements and provide adequate protection to media workers who face growing risks while carrying out their duties.
"The media will not be silenced by intimidation. Those seeking public office must accept scrutiny rather than attempt to suppress it," the statement concluded.
Speaking during the celebration and unveiling of newly elected MCAs on Wednesday, Gachagua criticized sections of the media, accusing several outlets of intentionally misrepresenting facts and circulating false reports.
He singled out Letoo, alleging that he had published misleading and biased information about his speech at a Thanksgiving ceremony for the newly elected Kariobangi North MCA held on Sunday, November 30.
"Stephen Letoo filed a very biased report on Sunday. And you were personally there. Criminals attacked us in church and were driven away by church members.
"They came back backed by police with guns and fought us. The OCS threw a teargas canister in the church. Then Letoo files a report that the police came to separate the gangs who were fighting. That's a lie," he said.
