Pro-government supporters storm Standard Media Group headquarters
Pro-government supporters storm Standard Media Group headquarters
Pro-government supporters stormed The Standard Group headquarters along Mombasa Road in Nairobi on Friday morning, protesting the media house’s coverage of President William Ruto’s administration.
The protesters arrived at the media house carrying placards and twigs, raising alarm over what they described as negative coverage of the government.
According to the media house, the protesters attempted to gain entry into the premises housing, among others, The Standard newspaper, KTN, Radio Maisha and Spice FM. Their efforts proved futile.
The demonstration was met by human rights activists who confronted the protesters outside the offices, further escalating tensions.
Images showed the activists carrying Kenyan flags as they challenged the pro-government protesters and defended the media house’s role in covering matters of public interest.
“Activists rally in solidarity with the Standard Group Plc., reaffirming their support for press freedom and bold journalism,” The Standard Group said.
Adding, “Pro-Government protesters walk away from Standard Group headquarters after a confrontation with human rights activists.”
The confrontation came after some members of the social grassroots movement dubbed Bunge la Mwananchi announced plans to mobilise more than 5,000 people for the protests.
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The group accused The Standard, through its newspaper and KTN, of repeatedly publishing news that they claimed persistently criticised Ruto and his administration.
The Standard Group had reported the planned demonstration to the police, expressing concerns over the security of its staff and premises.
Meanwhile, the latest standoff comes months after Ruto publicly criticised the media house’s coverage, accusing it of publishing what he described as extortionist propaganda against his administration.
“Gideon Moi, your Standard Media’s five days a week extortionist propaganda headlines on me and my administration’s transformative track record will get you nothing and nowhere,” Ruto wrote on his social media accounts.
“Blackmail to yield to your greed? Never. Kenya belongs to all Kenyans, not you alone. Try eight days a week. Do your worst,” he added.
However, despite the accusations, The Standard Group, through its Chief Executive Officer Chacha Mwita, rejected the claims and defended the company’s editorial independence.
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