Concerns over press freedom and accountability in Kenya intensified on Friday after the Vibez Tribe movement accused Standard Group Media of allowing shareholder interests to influence its editorial decisions.
At a press briefing in Nairobi, Vibez Tribe leaders warned that powerful business and political figures were manipulating media content, eroding public trust and undermining democracy.
“Our media, once trusted as the guardian of public interest, is now under serious scrutiny. When citizens are denied accurate and verifiable information, they lose the ability to make informed choices about their future. This is more than a media issue it is a national crisis,” the group said.
The movement singled out Standard Group, one of the country’s largest media houses, claiming that some shareholders were interfering with editorial independence.
They specifically pointed to allegations involving shareholder Gideon Moi, accusing him of influencing coverage.
Kenya’s media sector is already facing challenges, including declining revenues, layoffs, and growing political pressure.
Critics argue that editorial policies in mainstream outlets increasingly reflect the interests of their owners rather than the public.
Vibez Tribe called on regulators and Parliament to act, listing several demands:
- Media Council of Kenya (MCK): Explain what steps it is taking to ensure ethical and professional journalism.
- Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK): Clarify how it is safeguarding fairness and objectivity in broadcasting.
- Standard Group Media: Provide oral evidence before Parliament on its editorial practices and safeguards against shareholder influence.
- Gideon Moi: Address allegations of interfering with editorial direction.
The group stressed that it was not seeking censorship, but accountability.
“Freedom without responsibility is dangerous. Freedom without truth is chaos. Media must remain free, but also accountable to the people it serves,” they said.
Although Kenya’s Constitution protects press freedom, watchdogs such as Article 19 and the Media Council have repeatedly flagged the role of ownership structures in shaping editorial direction.
Dr. Wanjiku Mureithi, a media analyst at the University of Nairobi, said the Vibez Tribe statement echoes growing public unease.
“Media houses play a critical role in shaping democracy. If the public loses trust in them, misinformation and disillusionment fill the gap, weakening institutions,” she noted.
As the calls grow louder, it remains unclear how regulators, lawmakers, or Standard Group will respond.
Vibez Tribe, however, says it will continue rallying citizens in defense of truth and transparency.
“The people of Kenya deserve nothing less than the truth,” the group concluded.
