ODM Reacts After Senator Cheruiyot's Controversial Statement

The Orange Democratic Party (ODM) has castigated Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot over his remarks on the Kenyan media.

In a statement on Monday, March 6, the Raila-led party stated that the Kenyan media should be protected from government interference.

The opposition party alleged that the Executive has managed to capture the Judiciary and the Legislature.

“Freedom of the Media must be protected. All the three Estates ie the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary have been captured by one Estate. The Fourth Estate seems to be the people’s only hope and source of information. It must be guarded from the sharks,” the party stated.

Senator Cheruiyot earlier claimed that President William Ruto would succeed in crashing cartels across the country safe for the media and banks.

The Kericho Senator noted that the two sectors are powerful and connected hence would be difficult to crack.

“President William Samoei Ruto will succeed in crushing every cartel in the country save for two that are extremely powerful. 1. KE Banks 2. KE Media Both are very powerful, influential, and synergise so well to protect each other's interests. For public good, a way must be found,” said Cheruiyot.

At the same time, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has slammed local media houses for misleading the public over an alleged raid at former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi’s home.

According to the council, the media houses failed to provide photos or videos of police officers raiding Matiang’i’s home.

“By failing to adhere to their own Code of Conduct and rejecting any form of peer review or established regulations and practice, the media becomes a threat to democracy and press freedom and instead become agents of impunity who are resisting any form of accountability,” said MCK.