NAIROBI, Kenya — Rival groups faced off outside The Standard Group headquarters along Mombasa Road on Friday as pro-government supporters protested the media house’s coverage of President William Ruto’s administration.
The protesters arrived at the Standard Group premises carrying placards and twigs, accusing the media house of publishing coverage they considered critical of the government. The protest had been announced earlier in the week, with the group behind it planning to mobilise thousands of supporters.
According to The Standard Group, some of the protesters attempted to gain entry into the premises, which houses The Standard newspaper, KTN, Radio Maisha and other media operations, but were unsuccessful.
Human Rights Activists Stage Counter-Protest
The demonstration was met by human rights activists who gathered outside the headquarters carrying Kenyan flags and challenging the pro-government protesters.
The confrontation escalated tensions outside the media house as the two groups expressed opposing views over the Standard Group’s journalism and its coverage of the government.
The Standard Group said the activists had rallied in solidarity with the media house and in support of press freedom and independent journalism.
“Activists rally in solidarity with the Standard Group Plc., reaffirming their support for press freedom and bold journalism,” the media house said.
The Standard Group later said the pro-government protesters left the area following the confrontation.
Tensions Follow Earlier Threats
The protest comes days after the Standard Group raised security concerns over a planned demonstration at its Mombasa Road headquarters.
The media house said a group identified as Bunge la Mwananchi had announced plans to mobilise more than 5,000 people for the October 2 protest. The group accused The Standard and KTN News of consistently publishing reports critical of President Ruto.
The Standard said it had reported the planned protest to South B Police Station and notified the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Makadara.
The confrontation also comes amid an increasingly public dispute between the President and the media house over its coverage.
In June, Ruto criticised The Standard Group over what he described as an “extortionist propaganda” campaign against his administration, while the media company rejected the characterisation and defended its journalism.
The latest confrontation comes as debate over media freedom and political reporting intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
More to follow.
