Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the media to uphold citizens’ rights to freedom and democracy.
Uhuru made the appeal yesterday evening following a police search on his son’s home in Karen, Nairobi.
Mr. Kenyatta asked the media to support the rights of Kenyans to freedom and defend the nation’s democratic values.
“Na nawashukuru wote, na ombi langu kama fourth estate, lindine uhuru wa wakenya. Lindeni demokrasia ya taifa letu la Kenya. Sina lingine hio ni haki yenu na wakenya wanatarajia mfanye hivyo,”(I thank you all, and my plea as the fourth estate, protect the freedom of Kenyans. Safeguard the democracy of our nation, Kenya. I have no other request; this is your duty, and Kenyans expect you to do so.) he said.
The former president criticized the government for targeting his family members in retaliation to the incident, particularly the recent withdrawal of protection for the former First Lady Ngina Kenyatta.
He voiced his concern about the steps taken against his family and urged the media to defend Kenyans’ right to freedom of speech and assembly.
The statement by Uhuru comes amid an ongoing crackdown on opposition leaders by the government over demonstrations.
