Kenyans React As North Eastern Journalists Cancel Interview With Gachagua
A roundtable conversation between former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and a group of journalists from Northern Kenya was unexpectedly cancelled, eliciting conflicting reactions from Kenyans.
In a statement issued on Thursday, January 22, the Northern Kenya Media Practitioners announced their collective withdrawal from the planned interview, citing responsibility andnational unity.
“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,” the statement read.
According to the journalists, the interview was called off after internal considerations.
They claimed that it would have been inconsistent with the values of responsible journalism, national cohesiveness, and healthy public discourse.
“We have been closely following the recent public statements and rhetoric, which have increasingly been characterised as divisive, often emphasising ethnic and regional divisions,” they added.
The journalists also expressed concern that the interview may have turned into a forum for destroying one’s reputation or spreading unfounded charges against persons or institutions without sufficient evidence.
In their statement, the media practitioners emphasized their commitment to respecting ethical standards, encouraging informed debate, and supporting societal peace and togetherness.
They further argued that Gachagua’s team provided no promise that the conversation would be polite, evidence-based, and focused on substantial problems.
Gachagua reveals How he plans to bring mega change in North Eastern amid public scrutiny pic.twitter.com/QMjN5PTh8d
— Mutembei TV (@MutembeiTV) January 23, 2026
The episode elicited varied reactions from the public, with the majority of Kenyans criticizing media practitioners for what they regarded as ‘open bias.’
Among the critics is lawyer Ahmendnassir, who accused the umbrella body of allegedly curtailing Gachagua’s right to speak and to be heard, further criticising the journalist of selective coverage.
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What a shame. I personally don't agree with H.E GACHAGUA @rigathi on many things. I even believe he is tribal bigot. But in the last three weeks Gachagua brought to the fore a very important national question…corruption/theft by the political elites in NFD and low quality… pic.twitter.com/AL2ZuB8baW
— Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC (@ahmednasirlaw) January 22, 2026
“If you don’t like what Riggy G says or stands for, it doesn’t mean you curtail his rights to speak,” he said.
“You can’t accuse him of intolerance and then be this intolerant. Riggy G has the right to be heard by all Kenyans.”
Fellow journalists, including TV47 news anchor Abubakar Abdullahi, also condemned the act, labelling it as ‘unprecedented and totally unprofessional’.
To deny the Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, an opportunity to address the North-Eastern audience, is unprecedented and totally unprofessional.
— Abubakar Abdullahi (@Abouhbakar) January 22, 2026
This is a mockery of journalism. pic.twitter.com/cLCcrb6cXl
“To deny Rigathi Gachagua an opportunity to address the North-Eastern audience is unprecedented and totally unprofessional. This is a mockery of journalism,” said Abubakar.
Kenyans React As North Eastern Journalists Cancel Interview With Gachagua
