President William Ruto’s bloodthirsty government yesterday claimed the lives of ten people who were shot dead in various parts of the country during protests to mark Saba Saba day (People Daily, July 8, p.2). Journalism generally avoids the use of strong language – like “Ruto’s bloodthirsty government”. Is the killing and maiming of unarmed protesters and critics government policy? We know the following: 1) Police have killed and injured hundreds of unarmed citizens in the past year. 2) Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen issued an illegal order to the police to shoot to kill protesters. 3) President Ruto and members of his government have publicly praised police handling of protesters. Ruto ordered police to shoot protesters in the legs. 4) The government has offered no compensation to families of protesters and non-protesters killed or maimed by police. 5) Police officers have looked on as goons attacked and injured protesters. 6) Police turned away ambulances at roadblocks and prevented health workers and patients from reaching hospitals. Avoid strong language, except when it is the only way to speak truth to power.
Business as usual for Kenyans in many parts of the country, but metropolitan and Mt Kenya counties hit hardest by the protests. Next: Security agencies seal off Nairobi CBD, block roads across the country inconveniencing travellers, workers (Nation, July 8, p.1). Hapa tumechanganyikiwa kidogo, aisee. How can you describe the situation on Saba Saba day as “business as usual for Kenyans in many parts of the country”, yet security agencies “block[ed] roads across the country inconveniencing travellers, workers”? Was that business as usual? Alafu a pictorial (p.6-7) headline? Day of contrast: Empty streets and chaos across Kenya as Saba Saba observed. Looks like the editors were split on how to frame this one.
Supermarkets, phone shops, food joints, electronics stores and even street vendors were nowhere to be seen (Nation, July 8, p.4). Sawa, street vendors were “nowhere to be seen” but what about supermarkets, phone shops, food joints and electronics shops? Were they also “nowhere to be seen” during the Saba Saba lockdown of Nairobi, buana?
Similar scenes played out in Kitengela, a satellite town on Nairobi’s southeastern fringe (Nation, July 8, p.5). Ala, Governor Joseph ole Lenku might lead a demo to Kimathi Street, chanting ‘Haki yetu!’ Kitengela town is in Kajiado County. Or is Ilmorog (Limuru) a satellite town on Nairobi’s western fringe?
Brian Kimutai was shot dead by a police officer during Saba Saba protests in Kitengela. The Star reported that Kitengela Subcounty Hospital refused to take the body, forcing the young man’s mother to keep it in the car throughout Monday night. The body was later taken to a local private mortuary in Athi River, Machakos County (Star, July 9, p.3). Alafu: Directorate of Criminal Investigations detectives attached to Kitengela Police Station visited Kitengela Subcounty Hospital early Tuesday and processed the body before they left. Aje sasa? Are we not told the hospital rejected the body and it was taken to a private mortuary in Athi River?
The resignation of Moses Kuria as senior adviser to President William Ruto has ignited speculation about his political ambitions and potential impact on the fragmented Mt Kenya region (People Daily, July 11, p.6). Enyewe MK’s resignation has ignited speculation. But speculation is not news. What are the untold facts about his move? The story had none.
Critics question whether his departure signals genuine political independence or a calculated move to further divide the vote-rich area. Why not ask him or dig up the facts independently? PD spoke only to the “critics”, but not to Kuria himself or other well-informed sources. Lousy journalism.
