The Standard Group issued a statement on Friday, October 2, 2026, denouncing a protest staged outside its Nairobi premises on Mombasa Road, describing the incident as an affront to media freedom and democracy.

According to the statement, the demonstrators claimed to represent President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration and accused the media house of bias, while hurling profanities at staff.

The Standard Group cited Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and the press, to underscore that intimidation of journalists falls outside legitimate protest.

The company alleged that the same group had previously targeted its outlets, including KTN and digital platforms, over coverage of President Ruto and his administration.

The protest also featured insults directed at KANU Party Chairman Gideon Moi and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, whom the demonstrators blamed for critical headlines.

In its statement, the Standard Group reaffirmed its commitment to professional journalism guided by the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism and the public interest.

The media house praised police officers for preventing the protesters from entering the premises, describing the response as consistent with the role of an independent National Police Service.

Standard Group pledged to continue its reporting, stating that threats would not deter it from informing Kenyans and exposing issues the powerful might prefer to keep hidden.

The statement noted that while citizens have a constitutional right to protest, intimidation of journalists and media houses does not qualify as legitimate protest.