A bitter public feud erupted between President William Ruto and Standard Group Limited on Wednesday, June 24, after the media house issued a scathing response to remarks by the Head of State, accusing the government of undermining press freedom and withholding Ksh1.2 billion owed to the company.
In a statement, Standard Group said it could not ignore a social media post by the President that directly referenced the media house, describing his remarks as condescending and an attack on the foundations of independent journalism.
"We take great exception to the President's characterisation of our journalism. The post, which was condescending, attacked the very foundation of our journalism using language that falls short of the tone expected from the highest office in the land," the media house stated.
The company maintained that it would continue scrutinising those in power regardless of pressure, arguing that its role was to hold leaders accountable rather than shield them from criticism.
"We, however, admit that the President, in his post, was right on one thing: 'Kenya belongs to all Kenyans'. 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. We are, figuratively speaking, the child with the courage to say: 'The emperor is naked!'"
The response came hours after President Ruto launched one of his strongest public attacks yet against a mainstream media house since taking office in September 2022.
In a sharply worded post shared on his official social media accounts, the President directly addressed KANU Chairman Gideon Moi, whose family is associated with the ownership of Standard Group, accusing the media house of running what he termed an "extortionist propaganda" campaign against 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 stated.
According to the President, repeated negative headlines targeting his administration would neither influence government decisions nor force him to bow to pressure.
The exchange marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between the government and one of Kenya's oldest media houses.
Over recent months, The Standard has published a series of hard-hitting stories examining government policies, taxation measures, public expenditure, governance concerns and corruption allegations involving state officials. The publication has also consistently highlighted the President's foreign travel schedule, spending by the Executive and expenditure within both the Office of the President and the Office of the Deputy President.
Meanwhile, KTN News has in recent days aired a feature dubbed The Gallery of Ruto's Lies, which reviews unfulfilled government promises and stalled infrastructure projects under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
In its statement, Standard defended its editorial independence, insisting it does not take instructions from any individual or office and that its journalism is guided by facts, public interest and professional ethics.
"The Standard is not a propaganda outlet. Our journalism is guided by facts, public interest and professional ethics," the company said.
The media house further accused the government of using financial pressure to frustrate its operations, pointing to an alleged Ksh1.2 billion debt owed by the State.
Responding to the President's reference to blackmail, Standard posed: "What greater form of blackmail is there than a government withholding Ksh1.2 billion that it owes us, with the apparent desire of frustrating our operations? Blackmail? We are victims of blackmail; not perpetrators."
The company also warned that it would hold the government accountable should any harm befall its journalists, management, directors or shareholders as a result of the President's remarks.
The latest clash is expected to reignite debate over press freedom, media independence and the relationship between the government and the Fourth Estate. Kenya's Constitution guarantees freedom of the media and protects journalists and media houses from state interference, while also requiring adherence to professional and ethical standards.
Interestingly, Standard Group has itself faced criticism over its editorial practices. In March, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) accused the media house of publishing sensational headlines and unverified information, citing a controversial front-page story alleging that former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju had been abducted.
The regulator warned that while sensational headlines may attract readership, repeated reliance on such tactics risks eroding public trust in journalism.
Despite the growing controversy, Standard concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to informing the public and scrutinising those in power, saying it would continue to uphold the public's right to know with "professional zeal, independence and respect for institutions that safeguard democracy."
