DP Rigathi Gachagua weighs in on Kuria’s utterances
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has disagreed with Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria that the government should stop advertising with the Nation Media Group.
Speaking on Monday, June 19, 2023, Gachagua however castigated the media house saying that it had become rogue.
"I want to assure you, the Nation newspaper, whereas I agree with Moses Kuria that you have become rogue and you are part of the Azimio brigade trying to bring down the government I don't agree with what he has suggested that we stop advertising with you. We shouldn't because we are a democracy and we should be able to allow you to continue doing your job. Ours is to call you out. When you go overboard we must tell you on the face," Gachagua said.
On Sunday, the Trade CS threatened to sack government officials who advertised with the Nation Media Group.
"Nation Media, I want you to decide if you are a broadcaster, print newspapers or an opposition party. I have said from today that any government agency that will advertise in Nation Media will be penalised," Kuria said.
In retaliation, Kuria also tweeted in mockery of the media house, stating that 'advertisers that are allowed to advertisers on the said media station are only prostitutes.'
"Kwa wale m***ya wa Aga Khan pale Nation Centre. You can still advertise auctioneers and funeral announcements. We will not stop those," the tweet read.
Kuria's scandal
The news story alleged that Kuria and his counterpart, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, presented a brief during the first Cabinet meeting. The brief sort to import maize, cooking oil and other items, which according to Kuria was geared towards reducing the cost of living.
The expose, aired on the local media station Kuria is attacking, accuses claims that the corrupt deal saw individuals involved walking away with money to the tune of Ksh5.6 billion through tax evasion.
In their feature, the local media station alleged that Kenya National Trading Corporation imported the foodstuffs from companies that are linked to key government officials.
The importation deal was executed through a duty-free import and wrong gazette notice, leaving the importation companies pocketed Ksh5.6 billion.
Kuria is accused of engineering losses through tax evasion. The whole import plan was to generate about 76 million dollars through a waiver of taxes that KRA granted Kenya Trading Corporation.
