NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has intensified his public confrontation with Standard Group, accusing the media house and its proprietor, former KANU chairman Gideon Moi, of exploiting workers while using claims of financial distress to justify what he termed sustained attacks against his administration.
The latest exchange marks a further escalation in an increasingly bitter war of words between the President and one of Kenya’s oldest media organizations over editorial coverage of the Kenya Kwanza government.
In a strongly worded social media post on Thursday, Ruto appeared to respond directly to Standard Group’s defence of its journalism and allegations that the government owes the company outstanding payments.
“Bro, the BILLIONAIRE you are; HIDING behind ‘debts’; forcing many months’ UNPAID labour slaving to defend your STANDARD headlines extortion GANGSTERISM driven by GREED; is HEARTLESS to loyal workers, INSULT to journalism and BETRAYAL to free media that STANDARD once belonged,” the President posted.
The remarks came a day after Standard Group publicly defended its editorial independence following an earlier attack by the Head of State.
The dispute began after The Standard published a series of critical headlines and reports highlighting economic and governance challenges facing the country.
President Ruto responded by accusing the newspaper of running what he described as an “extortionist propaganda” campaign aimed at undermining his administration.
“Gideon Moi, your Standard Media’s five days a week extortionist propaganda headlines on me and my administration’s transformative track record will get you nothing and nowhere. Blackmail to yield to your greed? Never. Kenya belongs to all Kenyans, not you alone. Try eight days a week. Do your worst,” Ruto had posted.
In response, Standard Group issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the accusations and defending its role as an independent media institution.
“We take great exception to the President’s characterisation of our journalism,” the company said, adding that the remarks amounted to an attack on the very foundation of independent journalism.
The media house maintained that its reporting is guided by facts, public interest, and professional ethics, insisting that it would continue scrutinising those in positions of power regardless of political pressure.
“The Standard stands for bold, responsible, and accountable journalism. We tell the facts as they are, even when they are uncomfortable for those in positions of authority,” the statement read.
The company further argued that democratic accountability requires scrutiny of public officials and government policies.
“He is the country’s leader, and when he fails, Kenya fails. But The Standard will not cheer on any such failure; we will instead point it out,” the media house said.
The latest response from the President shifted the focus from editorial content to labour relations within the media company, with Ruto alleging that workers had gone unpaid for months. The President, however, did not provide evidence to support the claim.
The public spat has reignited debate about the relationship between government and the media, particularly at a time when questions surrounding press freedom, accountability, and economic pressures facing news organisations remain prominent in Kenya.
Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution guarantee freedom of expression and media independence, while also recognising the role of the press in informing the public and holding leaders accountable.