Senator Karen Nyamu has condemned the Star newspaper for a recent cartoon that she says displays a very high unpatriotism to towards the country.
The cartoon, which was posted on the Star’s official Facebook page, depicts a scene of police officers chasing protesters on a racetrack. The caption reads “the only race Kenya is winning better” – an apparent jab at the frequent clashes between security forces and demonstrators on the streets of Kenya.
Reposting the cartoon on her own Instagram page, Nyamu accused the Star of having a main aim to fight president William Ruto. She went on to question whether the newspaper thinks Kenya belongs to Ruto, using vulgar words to criticize the outlet.
The controversial cartoon has sparked a heated debate on social media, with some users agreeing with Nyamu’s assessment and others defending the Star’s right to publish critical commentary.
Nyamu, who is a member of President Ruto’s political party, has been an outspoken supporter of the new administration. She has frequently taken to social media to attack perceived critics of the government, accusing them of “unpatriotism” and a lack of loyalty to the country.
Critics, however, argue that Nyamu’s reaction is emblematic of a broader trend of the Kenyan government trying to stifle dissent and criticism in the media. They say that cartoons and other forms of political satire are an important part of a healthy democracy and should not be censored or condemned in this manner.
By Newshub