President William Ruto has affirmed that he will defend the freedom of the media, noting that they have a right to criticise and write about anything they want.
Ruto spoke on Sunday during an interdenominational church service in Kajiado County.
"I want to give assurance to everyone in Kenya that we will continue to be a free country. We will continue to respect the rights and freedoms of everybody to say whatever they want, to write whatever opinion they want," Ruto said.
The Head of State said no one will be gagged except when the sector contravenes the law.
He insisted that the government has no plan to restrict anyone's rights and freedoms.
"We believe in the freedom of the media to write whatever they want, to criticise however they want. To write even if we don't agree with what they write. We will defend their right to say it and to write it," Ruto said.
He added that that right extends to everybody. "Even the things the media don't want to be said can be said as everyone has the freedom of speech."
The media has been facing attacks from a section of politicians over the expose' made.
This comes as Kenya's ranking in press freedom has shown a declining trend, according to an index ranking by Reporters Without Borders.
Initially, Kenya stood at position 69 globally when it comes to press freedom in 2022 but is now at position 116 in 2023.
In Africa, countries leading in press freedom include Namibia which ranked at position 22.
South Africa was at position 25 while Cabo Verde was at position 33.
Among countries with less freedom for their media was Sudan at position 148, Djibouti at position 162 and Eritrea standing at 174.
"Sudan, Djibouti, and Eritrea are the least ranked in the continent which is now described as the 'new disinformation and propaganda laboratory', " Reporters Without Borders said.
Countries that ranked top were Norway which is at the top. Ireland ranked second while Denmark ranked third globally in press freedom.
