President William Ruto has intensified his public confrontation with The Standard Group PLC, responding sharply to the media house’s statement defending its editorial independence and accusing the government of withholding KSh1.2 billion owed to the company.
In a strongly worded post on X, the President dismissed The Standard’s claims and instead turned attention to the welfare of the company’s employees, alleging that staff have endured months of unpaid salaries while management blames financial challenges.
Ruto wrote:
“Bro, the BILLIONAIRE you are; HIDING behind ‘debts’; forcing many months’ UNPAID labour slaving to defend your STANDARD headlines ‘BOLD’ extortion GANGSTERISM driven by GREED; is HEARTLESS to loyal workers, INSULT to journalism and BETRAYAL to free media that STANDARD once belonged.”
The President’s latest remarks mark a significant escalation in the growing dispute between State House and one of Kenya’s oldest media organizations.
His comments appeared aimed at challenging The Standard’s moral authority in criticizing the government, suggesting that the organization’s internal labour issues undermine its public stance on accountability and transparency.
The Standard Had Defended Its Journalism
The President’s response comes a day after The Standard Group issued a detailed statement rejecting accusations of blackmail and propaganda.
The company maintained that its journalism is guided by facts, public interest, and professional ethics, while insisting that its role is to hold those in power accountable regardless of political consequences.
The media house also accused the government of withholding KSh1.2 billion in outstanding payments, arguing that the delayed funds have affected its operations and staff welfare.
In its statement, The Standard said it was “a victim of blackmail, not a perpetrator,” and reaffirmed its commitment to independent journalism.
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