A section of Northern Kenya media practitioners collectively withdrew from a planned roundtable interview with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The interview was originally scheduled for Thursday, January 22, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
It went on as scheduled, with some attending the session.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the umbrella body representing local radio stations and digital media outlets cited concerns over responsible journalism, national unity, and constructive public discourse as reasons for the decision.
“It is with deep regret that we inform our esteemed audience of our decision to terminate the planned roundtable interview,” the statement read.
“After careful consideration, we have concluded that proceeding with the interview would not align with our core principles. Recent public statements and rhetoric by Hon. Gachagua have increasingly been characterised as divisive, emphasising ethnic and regional divisions at a time when Kenya needs voices that unite rather than polarise.”
The media practitioners also expressed apprehension that the interview could devolve into character attacks or the dissemination of unsubstantiated allegations without adequate evidence or balanced discussion.
“As a media outlet committed to ethical standards, fostering informed debate, and promoting peace and cohesion, we cannot in good conscience provide a platform that risks amplifying harmful narratives,” the statement added.
Gachagua had announced the interview on his social media platforms on Wednesday, January 21, inviting residents of Northern Kenya to a “candid discussion through their local radio stations and online media” under the theme: “Every Kenyan deserves to live a dignified life in the spirit of Leaving No One Behind.”
The planned roundtable was to involve multiple local radio stations and digital media outlets from the region.
The withdrawal came amid widespread criticism over remarks previously made by Gachagua, perceived to be linking members of the Somali community to controversial business operations.
Gachagua had made remarks linking businesses in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, which is predominantly inhabited by the Somali community, to alleged economic crimes, including claims that some funds were connected to fraud abroad.
He later clarified that his criticism was not targeted at the Somali community as a whole. He said he was concerned about specific business practices he perceived as harming Kenyan farmers.
The Northern Kenya media practitioners emphasised that while the decision to withdraw was difficult, they remain open to future engagements should there be a clear commitment to constructive, unifying dialogue.
The move by the media practitioners attracted criticism from some locals.
Social media commentator Mohamed Wehliye termed the move rubbish.
“This is a rubbish take by the way.
If you don’t like what Riggy G says or stands for, it doesn’t mean you curtail his rights to speak. You can’t accuse him of intolerance and then be this intolerant. Riggy G has the right to be heard by all Kenyans,” he said in a post on his social media.
Later Ahmednassir Abdulahi too criticized the move. He termed it a shame.
“What a shame. I personally don’t agree with H.E GACHAGUA @rigathi on many things. I even believe he is tribal bigot. But in the last three weeks Gachagua brought to the fore a very important national question…corruption/theft by the political elites in NFD and low quality leadership saddled with the people.”
“The media cannot boycott him because they disagree with him. The media expresses an opinion only when rendering an editorial. This was a mere interview…a question and answer session. They should have interviewed him and asked him all the hard and difficult questions they had in mind. Boycotting Hon Gachagua by NFD media is STUPID act of journalistic cowardice,” he said.
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