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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stated that the Kenya Kwanza administration is not a threat to press freedom.

He said the government recognises the media’s role in holding it accountable and informing the Kenyan citizens.

“The Ruto administration believes in all freedoms including the freedom of the press. The fact that 6 media stations are here is a testimony of my faith in the freedom of the press. The media plays a critical role in informing and educating Kenyans,” he said in his appearance in an interview across all media houses on Sunday, March 12.

Gachagua, however, called for media independence saying the press was biased in the 2022 general elections and should the trend carry on to 2027, the government will crush them politically.

“We hammered the media 9 nil because the media was part of Azimio and we hammered Azimio and all its affiliates including the media. In another election, if the media is in bed with our opponents, we will crush them ‘politically speaking’,” he stated.

The DP retaliated that although the government believes in the freedom of the press, media houses should be objective and fair in their coverage and quest for accountability in government and welcome the same.

He says media is not beyond reproach and this freedom does not provide shelter for unfairness.

“Media freedom must be exercised with responsibility. Kenya Kwanza respects the media we look forward to being called out when we go wrong. However, the media also must be ready to be criticised. They should not feel we are attacking them.”

“I request the media to be fair, just like you are free to criticize the government and to criticize anything under the sun, you too must allow people to criticize you, affirm you where you do well, encourage you and point out where you are failing,” he stated.