Nairobi: The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has accused sections of the Kenyan media of abandoning professional journalism in favour of sensationalism, political activism and the publication of unverified information, saying the trend is eroding public trust and undermining national cohesion. Speaking to the Media on Friday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan said while the party remains committed to constitutional freedoms, including media freedom, journalists must exercise that freedom responsibly.
According to Kenya News Agency, Omar emphasised that media freedom carries an important responsibility to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, impartiality, and professional ethics. He expressed concern over instances where sections of the media appear to prioritise sensationalism over verification, commentary over facts, speculation over responsible reporting, and politicisation masked as free media. Journalists have a professional and ethical obligation to publish verified, accurate, and balanced information while clearly distinguishing facts from opinion and speculation.
Omar highlighted the growing circulation of unverified claims, misleading headlines, and opinion presented as fact, which he said threatens public confidence in the media and weakens informed national discourse. He stated that journalism should contribute to national development by informing citizens objectively, scrutinising institutions fairly, and facilitating constructive public debate. Omar accused some mainstream media houses of abandoning objectivity in favour of partisan political interests, alleging that the decline in editorial independence and professional ethics has placed ratings, political narratives, and commercial interests above rigorous fact-checking and responsible reporting.
The Secretary General further criticised the increasing involvement of media personalities in politics, arguing that this practice compromises journalistic integrity. He invited those media personalities who wish to engage in politics to resign from their media roles and join the political arena. Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the media's constitutional responsibility to inform the public, educate citizens, and promote national cohesion through factual and balanced reporting. Kidero warned against sensational reporting and stressed the importance of reporting allegations concerning missing persons or abductions to the relevant authorities.
Omar defended the party's commitment to human rights, citing constitutional guarantees on housing, healthcare, sanitation, water, and education as central to the party's governance agenda. Responding to questions on the relationship between the government and the media, Omar assured that Kenya remains committed to protecting press freedom while emphasising that journalism should be exercised responsibly and within the law. He reiterated that responsible journalism should serve the interests of the public and contribute to peace and national cohesion. On governance, Omar affirmed the government's respect for court decisions and its commitment to complying with judicial pronouncements, ensuring that constitutional processes guide executive decisions.