Ruto Accuses Standard Media of ‘Extortionist Propaganda’ in Fresh Attack on Newspaper

President William Ruto has launched a scathing attack on Standard Media Group, accusing the media house of running a sustained campaign of what he termed "extortionist propaganda" against his administration.

In a strongly worded statement posted on his X account on Thursday, the President claimed that persistent negative headlines targeting his government were driven by greed and blackmail, insisting that he would not bow to pressure.

"Your Standard Media's five days a week extortionist propaganda headlines on me and my administration's transformative track record will get you nothing and nowhere. Blackmail to yield to your greed? Never," Ruto wrote.

The Head of State maintained that Kenya belongs to all citizens and not any individual or institution, challenging the media house to continue its criticism if it wished.

"Kenya belongs to all Kenyans, not you alone. Jaribu eight days a week. Do your worst," he added.

Ruto further turned his criticism toward the ownership and management of the media company, accusing it of failing to pay workers while portraying itself as financially distressed.

The President alleged that the media house's billionaire owner was hiding behind claims of debt while subjecting employees to months of unpaid labour.

"Bro, the billionaire you are; hiding behind debts; forcing many months' unpaid labour slaving to defend your Standard headlines' bold extortion gangsterism driven by greed, is heartless to loyal workers, an insult to journalism and a betrayal to free media that Standard once belonged," he stated.

The remarks mark the latest escalation in the often tense relationship between the Kenya Kwanza administration and sections of the media. The comments are likely to reignite debate over press freedom, media independence, and the role of the press in holding governments accountable.

Neither Standard Media Group nor its management had immediately responded to the President's claims at the time of publication.