Why Media Is Corrupt? – Raila Odinga Lands Blow.
- mwananchivoiceco
- Aug 15, 2025
- 2 min read
Former Prime Minister and Azimio leader Raila Odinga has taken a sweeping jab at Kenya’s mainstream media, accusing it of being compromised and financially motivated in its editorial decisions.
He made his remarks on August 14th during the 9th Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, a day after President Ruto delivered strong comments on the fight against corruption.
Odinga argued that institutions tasked with exposing wrongdoing often have their own integrity issues. He questioned the credibility of journalists and editors who champion anti-graft causes while, according to him, secretly serving political or business interests. His criticism comes at a time when trust in state institutions is already strained.
The ex-Prime Minister stated that, in his opinion, corruption isn't confined to politicians; it is also deeply rooted in watchdog institutions. He asserted that the media has occasionally turned into a tool for propaganda instead of promoting accountability, thus eroding public trust.
“If you see the media saying, ‘we are exposing corruption here,’ they have been paid. We have done a professional investigation exposing corruption in the legislature, judiciary, and executive. They themselves have been paid to do what they are doing, so the media is not blameless in this matter,” Raila said.
The ODM leader emphasised the importance of strong county executives working alongside equally strong county assemblies.
According to Raila, the oversight of county governments should be the responsibility of county assemblies rather than the Senate.
“County governments are supposed to be oversighted by county assemblies, not the Senate. It is unnecessary for governors to be summoned to appear before senators in Nairobi,” he noted.
At the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay on August 13, President William Ruto intensified his anti-corruption efforts, specifically targeting Parliament and the Judiciary in his speech.
He issued a strongly worded statement accusing parliamentary committees of demanding bribes to change oversight reports—a practice he insisted must stop immediately.
“We cannot allow committees of Parliament to demand to be bribed for them to write reports or to look the other way…” Ruto told the conference delegates.
The President also criticized the Judiciary for supposedly protecting corrupt officials by misusing anticipatory bail, which he referred to as a uniquely Kenyan creation that safeguards wrongdoers rather than promoting justice.
“Don’t be a haven for the corrupt … The anticipatory bail is an innovation that takes us backwards,” he said.
Ruto emphasized that there would be "no exceptions" in the battle against corruption, pledging to strengthen the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission along with other agencies to take firm action.
Speaking in Homa Bay to county governors, senators, and civil society representatives, he emphasized the critical need to rebuild public trust in governance.
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