NAIROBI— UDA Secretary General, Sen. Hassan Omar Hassan, has launched a sharp critique of sections of the mainstream media, accusing their media owners and senior editors of abandoning the principles of professional journalism in favour of partisan political activism aimed at discrediting President William Ruto’s administration.
Addressing the media at the Party Headquarters, Hustler Plaza, on Friday, the Secretary General expressed concern over what he described as the steady erosion of media ethics and editorial independence within some of the country’s leading media houses.
He observed that the broad constitutional freedoms enjoyed by the media have, in some instances, been exploited to propagate misleading narratives, sensational headlines, unverified allegations, and outright misinformation, thereby undermining public trust in the profession and threatening responsible democratic discourse.
Sen. Omar particularly called out media outlets associated with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and KANU Chairman Gideon Moi, asserting that their editorial direction has increasingly reflected the political interests of their proprietors rather than the public interest.
He further stated that senior editorial leadership at the Standard Group and MediaMax Network Ltd have departed from the core values of accuracy, fairness, objectivity and balance that define credible journalism.
“Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Gideon Moi have increasingly transformed their media platforms into instruments of political opportunism, seeking to exploit every national issue for partisan advantage while advancing narrow political interests at the expense of national unity and development,” EALA MP Omar stated.
The Secretary General also challenged media practitioners whom he accused of blurring the line between journalism and political activism. He argued that journalists who have chosen to actively participate in partisan politics, civil society activism, or political mobilisation should relinquish their newsroom roles and seek elective office, rather than compromise the integrity and credibility of the profession.
Sen. Omar further singled out senior editors Chacha Mwita of the Standard Group and Linus Kaikai of Royal Media Services, accusing them of consistently demonstrating editorial bias against the Government and allowing personal political inclinations to influence news coverage.
The Secretary General reaffirmed UDA’s commitment to constitutional freedoms, including media freedom, while emphasising that such freedoms must be exercised responsibly, professionally, and in a manner that upholds truth, fairness, accountability, and the national interest.
