Media Council Takes Action After CS Magoha's Al-Shabaab Remarks on Muslim Journalist

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has moved into action over Education CS Prof. George Magoha’s remarks against a female Muslim journalist.

In a press statement on Wednesday, MCK called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to ensure that Magoha withdraws the remarks and issues an unconditional apology.

MCK stated that it was disturbed that such comments from a senior government official can expose journalists to unnecessary harassment, ridicule and victimization din their line of duty.

“The Media Council has noted the unfortunate remarks against a Nation Media Group journalist during a question and answer session with the Cabinet Secretary of Education Prof. George Magoha on Monday, July 25.

“The Council of Kenya calls on the National Integration and Cohesion Commission (NCIC) to ensure the Cabinet Secretary issues an unconditional apology, withdraws the unfortunate remarks, and rescinds his directives against the smooth operation of media,” read part of the statement by MCK CEO David Omwoyo..

MCK further said that Magoha has in the past made verbal attacks on journalists during their work, something the council condemned.

“Just recently on December 21, 2021, the same Cabinet Secretary was also recorded on live TV making a personal attack against a Standard Group journalist Mr. Augustine Oduor for breaking a story on the launch of a strategic plan o a parastatal based at the Ministry of Education,” MCK stated.

Magoha on Monday, July 25, was heard asking the NTV journalist who she was representing saying that if she was representing Al-Shabaab, he could not answer the question.

“First of all where do you come from? Who are you representing? Because if you are representing Al-Shabaab, I will not answer you," Magoha said.