This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
July 29, 2019
Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen's appearance on KTN's Checkpoint was cancelled, sparking a heated debate over media independence and ownership.
Murkomen, a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto, claimed that the cancellation was a result of the struggle between media ownership and editorial independence, stating, 'I am sorry to let you know that my colleague has cancelled my appearance at KTN #CheckPoint Tonight. I have always supported media freedom in Kenya. Unfortunately the struggle between media ownership & editorial independence is real…..'
The Moi family, who hold a substantial stake in the Standard Group, which owns KTN, have been accused of exerting influence over editorial decisions and appointments.
However, not everyone agrees with Murkomen's assessment. Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr attributed the cancellation to Murkomen's decision to walk out of the Senate during the voting of the Data Protection Bill.
Despite the controversy, Murkomen has been given a chance to appear on TV by K24's Anne Kiguta and Senior counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi has invited him to appear on his RTN Somali TV.
The cancellation of Murkomen's appearance comes at a time when the media is under scrutiny for its handling of sensitive topics, including the 2022 succession politics and the alleged targeting of Ruto allies in the anti-graft war.
