Pro-government supporters demonstrated outside the Standard Group headquarters along Mombasa Road in Nairobi on Friday, October 2, protesting what they described as negative coverage of President William Ruto’s administration.
The protesters arrived carrying placards and twigs and accused The Standard newspaper and KTN of repeatedly publishing reports critical of the government.
According to the Standard Group, some of the protesters attempted to gain entry into the premises, which houses The Standard, KTN, Radio Maisha and Spice FM, but were unsuccessful.
The demonstration later turned into a tense confrontation after human rights activists arrived outside the media house carrying Kenyan flags and challenged the protesters.
The Standard Group said the activists had gathered in solidarity with the media organisation and in support of press freedom.
“Activists rally in solidarity with the Standard Group Plc., reaffirming their support for press freedom and bold journalism,” the media house said.
Bunge la Mwananchi had announced protest
The demonstration followed plans announced earlier in the week by members identifying themselves with the grassroots movement Bunge la Mwananchi.
The group had said it intended to mobilise more than 5,000 people for a protest at the Standard Group headquarters, accusing the media house of consistently publishing reports critical of Ruto and his administration.
The Standard Group had raised security concerns ahead of the planned demonstration and reported the matter to South B Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Makadara.
The latest confrontation comes amid an increasingly public disagreement between President Ruto and the Standard Group over its coverage of his administration.
In June, Ruto criticised the media house and accused it of what he described as “extortionist propaganda” against his administration. The Standard Group has rejected such characterisation and defended its editorial independence.
Friday’s events have renewed debate over the relationship between political actors, protesters and the media, with opposing groups expressing different views over the Standard Group’s reporting and the role of the press in covering public affairs.
