Journalists in Kisii have been labelled ‘sycophants and campaigners’ of Governor James Ongwae by Bonchari MP Zebedayo Opore.
Mr Opore on Tuesday alleged that Mr Ongwae had compromised the media to an extent that they no longer cover corruption-related stories in the county government.
The Ford People MP accused the media of ‘butchering’ stories from people perceived to be county government critics, an antic that has worked in favor of Mr Ongwae.
“I wonder what happened to Kisii media," Opore said.
"They have been compromised by the county government to an extent that they are out to butcher corruption incidents in the county government. They never bother to report rampant nepotism, skewed employment and even questionable tendering simply because they are serving their master by campaigning for him,” the lawmaker claimed.
He alleged that Kisii-based journalists have developed a habit of soliciting money from politicians found in 'earth-breaking scandals' in favor of shielding them and urged the Media Council of Kenya and Kenya Union of Journalists to investigate them.
“As a leader, I have lost faith in Gusii journalists because they have turned out to be sycophants of county leadership," the MP said.
"They are good as dead because of their antics of protecting scandalous people by asking favors to hide the evils in our society. I know many instances and I am willing to share the information with MCK and KUJ in case they bother investigating these people.”
However, veteran journalist Jared Maobe defended his colleagues from the scathing attack, saying the MP lacked ‘basics’ on how members of fourth estate work.
“I don’t think his claims that journalists receive bribes to protect the county government are genuine. He lacks basics about our work. I have seen people do positive and negative stories. In fact, the county government is on record for complaining that we are against it,” he said.