MCK condemns Gachagua’s attack on Stephen Letoo
By Faith Lagat, December 4, 2025The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has sharply criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over comments he made on December 3, 2025, targeting TV journalist Stephen Letoo during a public address.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the Council said the remarks amounted to an attack on media freedom and placed the journalist at significant personal risk.
Targeted attack
In its statement, the MCK described Mr Gachagua’s remarks as reckless and dangerous, noting that he had publicly named Letoo, called him “the worst journalist”, accused him of bias, and demanded his dismissal by Royal Media Services.
“Such targeted attacks on individual journalists by senior political figures are utterly unacceptable and pose a direct threat to their safety and lives,” the Council said.
The Council highlighted the precarious environment in which journalists already operate.
“In a climate already fraught with insecurity at political rallies, church gatherings, and public events, where disputes over mobilisation often escalate into violence, singling out a journalist by name constitutes incitement and places him in grave personal danger,” it noted.
Electioneering climate heightens concern
According to MCK, the attack comes at a particularly sensitive time as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, a period when the need for independent and robust journalism is even greater.
“As Kenya edges towards electioneering ahead of the 2027 General Election, this is precisely the time when citizens and the media must be free to scrutinise aspiring leaders, examine their records, and report facts without fear or favour,” the Council stated.
The statement took issue with political leaders who attempt to suppress scrutiny while projecting themselves as defenders of democracy.
“When figures who claim to champion democracy resort to intimidation and demand the sacking of journalists simply for fulfilling their constitutional duty, they must be unequivocally condemned,” the Council said.
Leaders urged to stop intimidation
Reaffirming constitutional guarantees, the MCK reminded political actors that “media freedom and journalists’ safety are non-negotiable, enshrined in Article 34 of the Constitution and fundamental to our democracy.”
It urged leaders to refrain from threatening or targeting journalists and called on security agencies to take note of such statements.
“We urge all leaders, current and former, to immediately stop targeting, threatening, or inciting harm against journalists. We further call on law-enforcement agencies to note such statements and provide adequate protection to media workers who face growing risks while carrying out their duties,” read the statement.
In its concluding message, the MCK stressed that intimidation would not silence the press, stating, “The media will not be silenced by intimidation. Those seeking public office must accept scrutiny rather than attempt to suppress it.”