Citizen TV Editor Exposes Threatening Texts from Embakasi East MP Babu Owino
Citizen TV senior news editor, Muraya Kariuki, on Monday, September 6, took to social media to expose threatening messages allegedly sent to him by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Gathogo Wanjiru 
Muraya shared screenshots of Owino's derogatory messages and tweets about him.
According to the alleged texts, Owino told the senior journalist to take responsibility for the negative news that he was airing against the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga, and accused Muraya of being on Deputy President William Ruto's payroll.
"You can enjoy your small cheo (post). You'll take responsibility for the negative news you chose to air against Baba. We have proven beyond per adventure that you are on DP's payroll," reads the message.
Muraya requested the MP to allow him to do his job without any interferences and advised him to take up the matter with his bosses.
"It is not good manners to try scare lowly journalists. Tunaomba tufanye kazi kwa amani (We pray for peace as we carry on with our duties)...File a formal complaint please, with my bosses or any regulatory body that you feel would address your concerns," Muraya stated.
In a rejoinder, Babu Owino remained adamant that the journalist was being paid by the DP's allies, adding that he was soiling Citizen TV's name.
"One mongrel with a bird’s brain holding diploma in Journalism, who is paid by DP to mess and/or soil the otherwise good name of Citizen TV, is Muraya Kariuki. Rotten to the core," Owino wrote.
The incident came the same day Media Council of Kenya (MCK) advised legislators aggrieved with any media house to file complaints with the Media Complaints Commission.
"It is legally mandated to handle such matters under Section 27 of the Media Council Act, 2013 and issue remedies as it deems appropriate," remarked MCK.
