Gloria Orwoba’s recent remarks have sparked fresh debate about the freedom of the press and the integrity of newsrooms in Kenya.
The former nominated senator claimed that certain individuals within State House are bribing senior editors to block stories that portray the government negatively.
Her allegations have revived old fears about state interference in the media and how far those in power are willing to go to control public narratives.
In a detailed social media post, Orwoba accused editors of betraying the trust of hardworking journalists who risk their safety to gather accurate and credible stories.
She said that reporters in the field often do their job professionally, collecting factual and balanced information, only for their stories to vanish once they reach the editorial desk. According to her, this interference happens not because the stories are false or poorly reported but because powerful figures at the top want to protect certain interests.
“These State House boys are so desperate,” Orwoba said, suggesting that editors have been compromised to silence certain reports before they reach the public.
Her words hinted at a network of influence where payments or favors allegedly change hands to ensure sensitive stories are never broadcast or printed.
She described how some journalists return from assignments with solid stories, only to find their work buried without explanation.
“Imagine a journalist goes to the ground, works hard, submits the story, and is told ‘thank you,’ but when you watch the 7 p.m. news, it’s missing,” she wrote.
The allegations have caused a stir among journalists, many of whom have previously expressed frustration about editorial interference.
Media insiders have long whispered about unseen forces controlling what makes it to prime time, but few have spoken openly about it.
Orwoba’s claims now put those suspicions back in the public spotlight. Her use of the phrase “step on certain stories” reflects newsroom slang for shelving reports that could cause political discomfort.
The situation raises deep questions about the state of press freedom in Kenya. Over the years, civil society and media watchdogs have warned about growing state capture of journalism, where political influence, threats, or money determine what the public gets to see or hear.
If Orwoba’s allegations hold weight, they reveal an even darker side of information control where truth is not only distorted but deliberately hidden.
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