Ruto Hits Out at Standard Media, Accuses Outlet of Sustained Campaign Against Government
His comments came on the same day he presided over the signing of the Finance Bill 2026 and the Appropriation Bill 2026 at State House, Nairobi.
President William Ruto. Photo/Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
President William Ruto has publicly accused Standard Media Group of orchestrating a deliberate campaign to discredit his administration, setting the stage for a fresh confrontation between the government and one of Kenya’s largest media organisations.
In remarks posted on his official social media accounts on Wednesday, the President took direct aim at KANU Chairman Gideon Moi, whose family has long been associated with the ownership of Standard Media Group.
Ruto dismissed the newspaper’s continued criticism of his government, saying repeated negative coverage would not influence state policy or pressure him into making concessions.
According to the President, the media house has consistently published headlines intended to tarnish the image of his administration despite what he described as significant progress made since taking office.
The Head of State alleged that the coverage amounted to an attempt at blackmail, insisting that he would not be intimidated by what he termed a coordinated propaganda effort.
His comments came on the same day he presided over the signing of the Finance Bill 2026 and the Appropriation Bill 2026 at State House, Nairobi.
The latest attack marks one of the strongest public rebukes directed at a mainstream media outlet by President Ruto since he assumed power in September 2022.
For months, Standard Media Group has carried prominent stories examining government policies, taxation measures, public spending, and governance issues. The publication has also closely tracked the President’s domestic and international engagements, often questioning the cost and impact of government programmes.
Through its television station, KTN News, the media group has recently aired a special series titled “The Gallery of Ruto’s Lies,” which reviews campaign pledges made by the President and assesses the progress of projects promised during the 2022 election campaign.
The programme has generated widespread discussion among Kenyans, particularly on social media, where debates over the government’s performance continue to dominate public discourse.
The dispute is the latest sign of growing tensions between sections of the Kenya Kwanza administration and parts of the media. Senior government officials and political allies have on several occasions accused certain media outlets of presenting unfair or one-sided coverage of government activities.
Observers say the confrontation is likely to renew national conversations about press freedom, government accountability, and the role of journalism in a democratic society.
Kenya’s Constitution protects media freedom and guarantees the independence of journalists and news organisations. These protections are widely regarded as essential safeguards that enable the press to scrutinise those in power without fear of interference.
At the same time, media institutions are expected to uphold professional standards by ensuring accuracy, fairness, and responsible reporting.
Notably, Standard Media Group has itself faced criticism over some of its editorial decisions. Earlier this year, the Media Council of Kenya questioned the publication of a front-page story alleging that former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju had been abducted.
The regulator argued that the report relied on information that had not been sufficiently verified and cautioned media houses against prioritising sensational headlines at the expense of credibility.
The council warned that while provocative stories may attract public attention, repeated use of unverified claims could weaken confidence in the media industry.
By Wednesday evening, neither Standard Media Group nor Gideon Moi had issued a response to the President’s allegations.
The exchange adds a new chapter to the often complicated relationship between political leaders and the media, with many expected to closely watch how the matter develops in the coming days.
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