By KPC Reporter
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has rebuked former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of placing a journalist’s life in danger after he publicly denounced Citizen TV’s Stephen Letoo during a political event on December 3.
In the remarks, Gachagua labelled Letoo “the worst journalist,” accused him of bias, and went as far as urging Royal Media Services to fire him.
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MCK now says those comments crossed a dangerous line.
According to the Council, singling out a journalist by name — especially at charged political rallies — amounts to incitement.
With Kenya slowly entering the heated atmosphere of campaigns ahead of the 2027 election, MCK warns that such attacks can quickly escalate into real physical harm.
They noted that political events, church gatherings, and public rallies have increasingly become sites of tension, where disputes over mobilisation and messaging can turn volatile.
“These kinds of remarks pose a direct threat to a journalist’s safety and life,” the Council cautioned.
MCK reminded Gachagua and all political actors that media freedom is a constitutional right, protected under Article 34, and that journalists must be allowed to do their work without fear or favour — even when their reporting scrutinises those seeking public office.
The Council urged leaders to refrain from targeting or intimidating members of the press and called on law-enforcement agencies to take such threats seriously while offering protection to journalists on duty.
“The media will not be silenced by intimidation,” MCK stated. “Those seeking public office must accept scrutiny rather than attempt to suppress it.”
The Council’s warning comes amid growing concern over the safety of journalists across the country, with Letoo’s case now becoming the latest flashpoint in the ongoing debate over political accountability and press freedom.
