Kenyans on X, led by media personality Lyn Ngugi and governance advocate Willis Otieno, among others, have come out in arms to protest President William Ruto’s repeated attacks on Standard Media Group.

Leading the charge, Lyn Ngugi took a reflective tone and suggested that all may not be well within the president’s inner circle after his second public criticism of the media house in two days.

“Uncle, kwani, the people who draft your statements have abandoned you? Please don’t lose your mind before 2027.

“We need you to experience the wrath of the people in your right state of mind!! Vumilia tu kidogo. WANTAM!!!”

Lyn’s remarks attracted thousands of reactions on X, with many users agreeing that the president should focus more on addressing the country’s challenges than engaging in public exchanges with media houses.

Lawyer Willis Otieno weighs in

Lawyer and good governance advocate Willis Otieno also joined the debate, arguing that leaders are ultimately judged by what citizens see happening around them rather than how often they respond to critics.

“When fuel prices rise, taxes rise, debt rises, and public frustration rises, but your most visible activity is responding to critics, people will eventually start judging you by what they see.”

He added:

“You can occupy State House, but public perception occupies a much bigger office.”

Willis’ remarks resonated with many Kenyans on X, who argued that the country’s attention should remain on issues such as the cost of living, taxation, public debt, unemployment and governance.

Ruto’s remarks

The online backlash followed President Ruto’s second public attack on Standard Media Group within two days.

On Thursday, the President directed another strongly worded message at Standard Media Group and Gideon Moi, writing:

“Bro, the billionaire you are, hiding behind ‘debts’; forcing many months’ unpaid labour, slaving to defend your Standard headlines’ ‘bold’ extortion gangsterism driven by greed; is heartless to loyal workers, an insult to journalism and a betrayal to free media that the Standard once belonged to.”

Barely 24 hours earlier, the Head of State had also criticised the media house over what he termed persistent negative coverage of his administration.

“GMoi, your Standard Media’s five-day-a-week extortionist propaganda headlines on me and my administration’s transformative track record will get you nothing and nowhere.

“Blackmail to yield to your greed? Never. Kenya belongs to all Kenyans, not you alone. Jaribu eight days a week. Do your worst.”

Debate grows

The president’s remarks have since fuelled an intense debate on X, with many users defending press freedom and arguing that media houses have a constitutional duty to scrutinise those in power.

Others maintained that if the president disagrees with a particular story or headline, the appropriate response is to provide facts or seek available legal remedies rather than engage in repeated public attacks on a media house.

The debate unfolded as Kenya marked the second anniversary of the June 25 Gen Z protests, with public discussion largely centred on governance, accountability, the economy and freedom of expression.