Kenya Editors Guild and Kenya Union of Journalists have condemned Trade CS Moses Kuria's utterances in an apparent attack against Nation Media Group.
The attack followed an expose by NTV, a station under the group, where it alleged that Cabinet Secretaries engineered the drop in the price of edible oils, a move that made the taxpayer lose about Sh5.6 billion.
In a statement released on Monday, KUJ Secretary General Erick Oduor said the CS has become a symbol of national shame.
He said that since Kuria is a CS, his actions and utterances should promote a positive image of Kenya as a nation.
"His reactions to media reports regarding one of the many scandals that have hit Kenya Kwanza administration within a span of 10 months are an embarrassment to Kenyans," Oduor said.
He called on President William Ruto to act following the remarks, adding that leaders are the mirrors of society.
KEG President Zubeida Kananu called on the CS to issue an apology following his unfortunate remarks.
"Kenya Editors' Guild expects an unconditional apology from CS Kuria following these unfortunate remarks. Editors, journalists and all media practitioners expect assurance from the Kenya Kwanza administration that the sentiments expressed by CS Kuria do not represent the policy of the government, and the media enterprises will be accorded their space to execute their mandate," Kananu said.
She said that the media plays a very important role in democracy, including holding power to account and therefore, the media does not operate above the law.
She added that if a State Officer or any Kenyan for that matter, is aggrieved by the work of the media, they have an array of avenues to raise them, including pursuing the legal route or reaching out to the media entity concerned.
"We do not know the context in which such unwarranted, uncalled for and totally off-the-mark remarks were made given that the CS did not expound further," Kananu said.
"It is however safe to conclude that the CS is unhappy with the work of Nation Media Group in informing or educating Kenyans."