Dear Star, Twitter or LinkedIn are not places you can ask questions for a news story. Therefore, all of the following were lazy journalism.
- Sept 28: “Susan Wafula: Details of nominated Health CS,” by Purity Wangui
This story was a pretend profile of the little known Cabinet nominee. A full story told in 13 paragraphs, it didn’t have a single quote. Because the writer spoke with nobody.
How did we know? The fifth paragraph gave it away: “She started her career at a diploma level if her LinkedIn profile is anything to go by.”
Yes, LinkedIn. That was the start and end of sources for this story. Not a single phone call to Wafula. No word if even an attempt was made to speak with anyone who knows her since Adam.
Oct 8: “Chepkut’s family reveals the cause of his death, asks for privacy as they grieve”, by Sharon Mwende
This story narrated sentiments said to be from the family of Ainabkoi MP William Chepkut, who died suddenly on Sunday, October 9.
The author wrote: “The family revealed that the former MP had been battling kidney disease for a very long time.”
Just to be sure, “Family sources said he collapsed in his house and was rushed to […] hospital,” the author wrote.
This story started out that the family “thanked the public for their prayers.”
And the story was complete with a proper quote: ‘”True fighter, Chepkut persevered through it all, and you loved him all through,’ they added.”’
Who added? The family. And where did the family say this? Well, it was all “a statement posted on the late’s Twitter handle,” the story said.
Sorry, it was not possible to speak with anyone about the dead subject.
- Oct 11: “Zuchu prides herself in being a trendsetter,” by Elizabeth Musyimi
“Tanzanian singer Zuchu says she is a trendsetter,” the story started. “Taking to Twitter, the ‘Sukari’ hitmaker explained why people copy her.”
A full story with lots of quotes followed. None from a breathing human.
- Oct 7: “Things don’t add up – Mutahi Ngunyi says after Uhuru exit from AU peace talks,” by Sharon Mwende
This was another story entirely sourced from a tweet by political scientist Mutahi Ngunyi. Zero independent sourcing.
- Oct 6: “First lady Rachel chairs meeting with environment stakeholders,” by Lindwe Danflow
A full news story. Not a single source, except a tweet by the First Lady.
- Oct 5: “Fourth doctor succumbs to Ebola in Uganda,” by Purity Wangui
This important story was pegged entirely on a tweet attributed to Uganda’s Health Minister Jane Ruth Ocero.
- Oct 5: “I’ll deliver! Ledama assures Raila after deputy minority whip pick,” by Manny Anyango
The story about the Narok senator was also gleaned entirely from his Twitter handle.
- Oct 3: “Mutahi Ngunyi breaks silence on Museveni’s son threats to Kenya,” by Sharon Mwende
Huh? Ngunyi was silent? And where did the author get the juice? Twitter.
- Oct 4: “Absurd! Makau Mutua chides Museveni for promoting son,” by Sharon Mwende
“Azimio spokesperson Makau Mutua has said it is absurd that Uganda President Yoweri Museveni promoted his son […] after his threats to invade Kenya.”
Sources? A single tweet by Mutua.
- Oct 4: “It was only a joke, says General Muhoozi,” by tony Mballa
A follow-up story by Museveni’s son, also all told from the subject’s tweet.
- Oct 4: “Mutua meets Uganda High Commissioner to Kenya Hassan Galiwango,” by Tony Mballa
This important story about a Cabinet nominee purportedly speaking for the Government of Kenya was told without a single interrogation. Sources? Mutua’s social media. Which one? The story didn’t say.
Of the 11 cited stories, Sharon Mwende wrote four, two of them in one day. How many other Star journalists camp on Twitter to write full news stories?
