Mwangi Muiruri, a journalist attached to Nation Media Group has been attacked allegedly over a story he published on the Nation website with details of Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria confirming that media personality Jacque Maribe had been hired in his Ministry to head Communications.
The journalist was attacked on Friday along the Nairobi – Nyeri highway around Makutano by three armed men using a Mazda Demio with soiled number plates.
They took his phone which is alleged to have contained a conversation between the journalist and CS Kuria involving Maribe’s appointment. In addition, he was also robbed some KSh2,000.
He proceeded to report the matter at Makutano Police Station and provided with an OB No. Muiruri has been left with a bruised eye following the Friday incident.
Early this week, Muiruri reported that CS Kuria had confirmed Jacque Maribe being hired by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to his Ministry as Head of Communications, a claim the PSC clarified as false and misleading.
“No such appointment has been made. Neither has a request to employ her been received by the PSC Board. For the record, the said position will be filled through a competitive recruitment process should a vacancy arise,” PSC said in a statement on Thursday.
CS Kuria suddenly claimed the journalist had fabricated the story and soon after his tweet, Muiruri was attacked. Nation however stands by the article, maintaining that Moses Kuria and Jacque Maribe were both contacted by the media house and they all confirmed the appointment.
“It is true she’s been appointment to lead Communications in my Ministry, only that I am not the one who appointed her but the Public Service Commission. It is the right thing to do for Jacque as President Ruto’s administration is keen to demonstrate that there is nothing like life in ashes, this is a country of justice, equal opportunities and one that will lend you a hand to rise from your ruins,” CS Kuria said when contacted by Nation.
Confirming the new role, Maribe also said it was all God’s doing. “The truth, which always sets us all free, has worked and I thank God for everything. Let us wait and see if the hand of God is revealing itself in my new appointment,” she told the Nation.
Related: Maribe and Kuria speak on her controversial appointment.
