The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has raised concerns over continued attacks on the media by government officials saying it is undermining its role to the public.

In a statement on Friday, MCK CEO David Omwoyo cautioned political leaders against criticizing the media in public meetings saying it is exposing its members to risks of physical attacks and eroding trust in its role as the society’s watchdog.

“The Media Council of Kenya is concerned with public utterances by key government officials against the media at public meetings. Such statements put journalists at risk as they may be attacked by members of the public,” stated Omwoyo.

“These attacks undermine the freedom of the press and are attempts to undermine the role of the press in holding the government accountable, which is a foundation of democratic societies.”

He added: “When leaders attack journalists, it can erode public trust in the media by creating an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion towards the press. This can lead to questions on the accuracy and objectivity of news reporting, which is essential for maintaining an informed citizenry.”

While terming the move as ''intimidating to journalists'', Omwoyo said that some sentiments towards the media by State officials were a ploy to distract the public from key issues affecting them.

He warned government officials to refrain from threats underscoring that they amount to trying to silence the media.

"The Council is urging leaders to stop intimidating journalists and discouraging them from reporting on important stories, which undermines the ability of the press to fulfil its role in society. Attacking journalists, we believe, is a distraction from important issues that require attention and action," he wrote.

"The Council takes such acts as attempts to silence or intimidate the media from undertaking its rightful duty. This, on the 'flipside, can damage the legitimacy of the government and erode public trust in its ability to govern fairly and effectively."

Consequently, the council urged political leaders to formally address any misunderstandings with the media rather than painting a bad image of the press before the public.

“We urge leaders to refrain from making statements attacking the media in public. Instead, they should work to foster a climate of mutual respect and collaboration with the press, which can help to strengthen democracy and promote the public good,” he said.

“We ask any leader or member of the public aggrieved by the media to report any complaints to the Media Complaints Commissions which is legally mandated to mediate on the same.”

The remarks by MCK come on the onset of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s comments on Thursday, where he accused sections of the press of being sponsored by those he described as 'milk cartels' to reprimand him.

“Kama hatukuogopa Uhuru na system na deep State, watu ya magazeti tutaogopa nyinyi? Mwache hiyo maneno mko nayo. Mnakuja hapa Murang’a mkutano mzuri mnakoroga mnaweka uwongo, mpaka huyu [Murang’a Senator Joe] Nyutu sasa anatoa jasho eti hakusema. Don’t bother about these people Nyutu, forget about these characters,” he said.

 “Kwanza watu wa maziwa ndiyo wanalipa hawa watu wa magazeti, si mnajua cartel wa maziwa? Na ni mimi na hawa...hii watu wanaiba pesa ya maziwa, in another three months, mtaanza kuuza maziwa mzuri,” stated the deputy president.