UDA Accuses Leading Media Houses of Bias, Demands Return to Professional Journalism

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 3 – The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has accused sections of Kenya’s mainstream media of abandoning professional journalism in favour of political activism, claiming the trend is eroding public trust and threatening national cohesion.

In a statement issued Friday and signed by Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan, the party said it remained committed to media freedom as guaranteed under the Constitution but argued that press freedom must be exercised alongside responsibility, accuracy and professional ethics.

UDA said it was increasingly concerned by what it described as sensationalism, unverified reporting and political bias disguised as independent journalism. According to the party, some media outlets have prioritised commentary and speculation over factual reporting, undermining informed public discourse.

The party singled out several major media organisations, including Standard Group, Royal Media Services’ Citizen TV and Mediamax’s Kameme FM, alleging that some editors, anchors, producers and reporters had become politically conflicted, resulting in declining public confidence in their reporting.

UDA further accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and their alleged allies of influencing sections of the media through journalists and commentators whom it claimed had turned into political actors rather than objective professionals.

Among those named were political analysts Chacha Mwita and Linus Kaikai, whom the party alleged had advanced partisan narratives instead of providing balanced analysis on matters of national importance.

The ruling party urged journalists to recommit themselves to editorial independence, factual accuracy, fairness and accountability, warning against publishing propaganda, innuendo and unverified allegations presented as news.

It also criticised what it described as a growing culture of misinformation, misleading headlines and opinion being presented as fact, saying such practices have weakened the credibility of journalism and contributed to political polarisation.

UDA claimed some media personalities had crossed the line into active politics and challenged those wishing to participate in political contests to resign from their media roles rather than “hide behind the veil of media freedom.”

The statement also accused some media houses of undermining national security institutions by profiling senior government officials, including Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, while allegedly giving favourable coverage to individuals accused of breaking the law.

According to the party, such reporting risks normalising criminality, weakening respect for the rule of law and encouraging impunity.

UDA urged Kenyans to strengthen their media literacy by consulting multiple credible sources, verifying information before sharing it and relying on official government communication channels where appropriate.

The party maintained that it remains committed to engaging media houses professionally while advocating for a media environment that promotes truth, accountability, democracy and national development.