A protest unfolded outside The Standard Group headquarters along Mombasa Road in Nairobi on Friday morning as supporters of the government demonstrated against the media house’s coverage of President William Ruto’s administration.
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The demonstrators arrived carrying placards and twigs, accusing the media organisation of giving what they described as unfavourable coverage to the government.
The protest came after a youth group had earlier announced plans to mobilise thousands of people for a demonstration at the media house.
The Standard had raised security concerns over the planned protest and said the matter had been reported to the police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The demonstration was met by human rights activists who confronted the protesters outside the headquarters.
The two groups exchanged opposing views as activists carrying Kenyan flags defended the media house’s role in reporting on issues of public interest.
Photos from the scene showed the rival groups gathered outside the Mombasa Road premises as tensions rose during the demonstration. ([Kenyans][1])
The protest comes amid an increasingly public dispute between the government and The Standard Group over its reporting.
President Ruto has previously criticised the media house over its coverage of his administration, while The Standard has defended its editorial independence and said its journalism is guided by facts, public interest and professional ethics.
The latest demonstration adds another development to the ongoing debate over media coverage, government criticism and press freedom in Kenya.