JOB CANCELLED: Why Northern Kenya Journalists Walked Away From Rigathi Gachagua Interview

A planned live interview with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua fell apart — and Kenyans are divided. What should have been a chance for tough questions turned into a storm of politics, principles, and public blow‑ups.

The media team from Northern Kenya abruptly withdrew from a roundtable interview scheduled for January 22, 2026. They said the messages Gachagua has been making are too divisive and could harm social unity if aired live.

It’s not just a cancellation — it’s a flashpoint in Kenya’s heated political scene.

What Really Happened

Gachagua had invited local radio stations and digital outlets from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit to a “candid discussion” — aimed at letting every Kenyan voice be heard.

But media practitioners said they could not, in good conscience, host an interview that might:

• Amplify harmful narratives

• Encourage ethnic or regional divisions

• Lack balanced, evidence‑based discussion

So they pulled out — citing professional values, ethical journalism, and national cohesion as the reason.