The High Court has issued an injunction prohibiting Trade CS Moses Kuria from using disrespectful or derogatory language toward any media professional.
Following an application submitted by one Charles Mugane, a human rights advocate, Justice Lawrence Mugambi granted the order.
"An injunction be issued against the Cabinet Secretary Trade preventing him from uttering or expressing any belittling, condescending, or disdainful words against any Media Practitioner by the meaning of Article 34 of the constitution howsoever and whatsoever," the order states.
The judge ordered that the CS and the Attorney General be served with Charles' application within three days and that any reply be completed within seven days.
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On July 24, the subject will be discussed.
Mugane, a High Court counsel who also used insulting language, said Justice Mugambi that Kuria's use of such language constitutes a flagrant violation of both the Leadership and Integrity Act and Chapter 6 of the Constitution.
If the prayers requested are not granted, he warned the judge, "there stand to be grave risks of intimidation and harassment of journalists, media houses, and members of the fourth estate in general by the government and in particular Kuria."
Mugane asserted that Kuria's remarks violate the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, harm media freedom, and are unconstitutional.
On June 18, The Daily Nation published an exposé on its Saturday Nation titled "How the First Cabinet Meeting Birthed a Questionable Deal" that discussed the risk that taxpayers might lose Sh10 billion in erroneous tax exemptions relating to oil importers.
Kuria then had an outburst on his Twitter account, using profane language.
Kuria was heard advising any government entity against placing commercials with the Nation Media Group in a video that went viral after the expose.
He continued by saying that any government worker disobeyed such orders would lose their job.
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