Northern Kenya media practitioners’ group withdrew from a planned roundtable interview with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a statement issued on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the group said the decision followed internal deliberations and was guided by its commitment to ethical journalism, national unity and constructive public discourse.
“It is with deep regret that we inform our esteemed audience of our collective decision to terminate the planned roundtable interview scheduled with Hon. Rigathi Gachagua,” read part of the statement.
The practitioners said they had closely monitored recent public statements attributed to Gachagua, which they described as increasingly divisive and centered on ethnic and regional differences at a time when the country requires unifying leadership.
They further expressed concern that the interview risked degenerating into character attacks or the airing of unsubstantiated allegations against individuals or institutions, without sufficient evidence or a commitment to balanced, fact-based engagement.
“As a media fraternity committed to ethical standards, informed debate and social cohesion, we cannot provide a platform that risks amplifying narratives that may undermine peace and unity,” the statement read.
While acknowledging the importance of granting public figures space to address the nation, the group said assurances sought that the discussion would remain respectful, evidence-based and focused on substantive national issues were not forthcoming.
The practitioners said the decision was taken with regret and noted that they remain open to future engagements should there be a clear commitment to constructive and unifying dialogue.
However, a social media agency called Northern Voice conducted the interview with Rigathi Gachagua from 7 PM to 9 PM.
In a post, they stated that even local radio stations were silenced, but they could not be silenced.
Also Read: BBS Mall Owners Demand Censure of Gachagua Over Fraud Claims and Hate Speech
Gachagua Accuses Northern Kenya Leaders of Intimidating Journalists
Earlier, Gachagua had accused some Northern Kenya leaders of attempting to intimidate journalists and radio stations to block a scheduled interview, saying the move aimed to prevent residents from learning about development challenges in the region.
“If journalists can be intimidated to deny their listeners an opportunity to face the truth about their lack of development and poverty, who will help the people of Northern Kenya?” he said.
He added that while some journalists may have succumbed to the pressure, others have ignored threats and remain committed to serving their audiences.
Gachagua further warned regional leaders that efforts to suppress information would only be temporary, promising that “the truth will come out.”
Senior Counsel Ahmed Nasir Abdullahi called out journalists who boycotted Gachagua’s interview, saying the decision was ill-advised.
“The media cannot boycott him because they disagree with him. The media expresses an opinion only when rendering an editorial. This was a mere interview… a question-and-answer session. They should have interviewed him and asked him all the hard and difficult questions they had in mind. Boycotting Hon. Gachagua by NFD media is a stupid act of journalistic cowardice,” said Senior Counsel.
Also Read: Alliance, Mangu Alumni Answer Gachagua on Admission of Students from Outside Mt Kenya
Remarks on Northern Kenya
On January 4, Rigathi made remarks linking some businesses in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, predominantly inhabited by the Somali community, to alleged economic crimes, including claims that certain funds were connected to fraud abroad.
He alleged that funds intended to support people with disabilities in Minnesota, United States, were stolen and transferred to Kenya, where they were used to buy land, build houses, and construct shopping malls.
The former Deputy President claimed that part of the money was used for political activities and alleged that a mall in Eastleigh was built using the proceeds, linking its owner to the President.
This led to the proprietors of Business Bay Square (BBS Mall) lodging a formal complaint with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), seeking an investigation, censure, and possible prosecution in relation to public remarks made by Gachagua.
According to the petition dated January 5, 2026, the remarks were publicly disseminated and unfairly linked the alleged foreign criminal activity to specific businesses and individuals in Kenya.
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