Nairobi, Kenya – (African Boulevard News) – The Minister of Commerce in Kenya, Amos Kimunya, has caused a storm in the media industry after hurling derogatory remarks towards journalists. Kimunya, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday, accused a media group of being opposition supporters and referred to its journalists as “prostitutes.”
The remarks have sparked outrage from both the media fraternity and the public, with many calling for Kimunya to apologize. The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) has demanded that Kimunya retract his statements and apologize to all journalists in the country.
“Mr. Kimunya’s remarks are not only unwarranted but also unbecoming of a minister. Such statements only serve to undermine press freedom and the role of journalists in society,” said KCA Chairman, William Oloo Janak.
In response, Amos Kimunya has defended his remarks, stating that the media group in question has been biased in its reporting. “I stand by what I said. The media group has been openly supporting the opposition and their journalists are nothing but political prostitutes,” he said.
The incident has once again highlighted the strained relationship between the media and the government in Kenya. Journalists have often been harassed and intimidated by government officials, with many cases going unpunished.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Kenya ranks 102 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. The organization cites intimidation and attacks on journalists, as well as government censorship and lack of media independence as some of the challenges facing the press in Kenya.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called on the government to respect press freedom and ensure journalists can carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or harassment. “Journalists should be allowed to carry out their work without any hindrance. The government should respect their role in society and uphold press freedom,” said MCK Chief Executive Officer, David Omwoyo.
The incident has sparked a debate on the need for the government to support the media industry in Kenya. Experts argue that a free and independent media is crucial in promoting good governance and ensuring transparency and accountability in public institutions.
As the storm over Kimunya’s remarks continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will take action to address the concerns raised by the media fraternity. Many hope that the incident will serve as a wake-up call for the government to respect press freedom and uphold the rights of journalists in the country.
