Just when Prophet Owuor seemed to be enjoying some ‘victory’ over his self declared ‘enemy’, media practitioners have come out to warn him and other religious leaders against threatening and harassing journalists.
Prophet Owuor is known for mobilizing his followers to embark on smear campaigns online against journalists. Owuor’s twitter battalion is known for tens of hashtags always targetting media houses and specific journalists who pursue incriminating stories about him.
A few days ago, Owuor hired Senior Counsel Omogeni, who threatened The Star Newspaper after publishing details of Owuor’s tussle involving the properties of Jayne Muthoni, a lawyer who hosted Owuor at her residence for many years.
Owuor was accused by Muthoni’s family of brainwashing the former brilliant Senior Counsel and swindling millions from her estates in Nairobi.
KMSWG now says that Owuor’s continued attacks on media houses and journalists are not only against fundamental human rights but also unacceptable and a breach of the law.
“Media as the Fourth Estate has a duty to hold other estates, including the clergy, to account for their actions. The work of religious leaders impacts the society and the media must interrogate them on behalf of the public, which the two institutions serve, without fear or favour. The Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG) has noted with concern a trend where religious leaders and formations with questionable credentials are now training their guns on the media, harassing journalists and curtailing free media in Kenya,” read part of the statement.
The group added: “Journalism is not a crime, and shall continue to play a watchdog role on all institutions and their leadership to cushion Kenyans from exploitation and manipulation by religious leaders who seem to believe they operate above the law.”
Also on the media watch is Bishop Ng’ang’a, who came out a few days ago to defend his fellow men of God. KMSWG reminds Owuor and Ng’ang’a that journalists are also believers in God, and that no amount of intimidation will stop them from pointing out ungodly activities taking place in places of worship.