Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has indicated that the government is in support of a vibrant and free media, despite persistent attacks on the media by senior government officials.

Mudavadi has also warned government officials against using vile language to express their opinions, which might be mistaken for government positions due to the offices they hold.

“Kenya must always have a vibrant and free media. That is what the Constitution expects, that is what the Constitution demands and that is what Kenyans must get. As far as I’m concerned the government is committed to free, vibrant, and objective media as required. We are not running away from that and it should be clear,” Mudavadi said.

“There is a very thin line between a public official and somebody in their private capacity. My advice to any of my colleagues or anybody in public space is that be very careful in the statements that you make because they may be personal statements but because of your status in society they could give the impression that it is a public policy. It is not. If somebody feels aggrieved you can criticise, you can raise your objection but vile language is not an option.”

Kuria’s threats against media

The remarks by Mudavadi come at a time Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria is facing a backlash from members of the public and media stakeholders following his derogatory remarks against the Nation Media Group (NMG).

A visibly aggrieved Kuria on Sunday issued threats against any government agency or persons that would trade advertisements with NMG.

“Nation Media, you must now decide whether you are a newspaper, broadcasting house, media house or a political party. I have said, from tomorrow, from today even, any government department found placing advertising in Nation Media Group, consider yourself out (of government),” Kuria said on Sunday.

Kuria on Monday vowed that he would not apologise over the derogatory remarks against NMG that he posted on his Twitter account.

“I am not apologising. I have been a media owner before. I have been a writer in your newspapers. There is nobody who is pro-media more than me. But I know the difference between media and what Thomas (Stanley) Baldwin called the prerogative of the harlot, the exercise of power without responsibility,” Kuria stated.