Kenyans on social media especially twitter have come out in large numbers to stand with Standard Group’s investigative reporter Paul Wafula over Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) exposé stories he has been running for the past two weekends.
Using the hashtag #IStandWithWafula, Kenyans on Tuesday condemned the Government for what they said was bullying and threatening the reporter who is just doing his work by being the voice of the voiceless- the Kenyan workers contracted to work on the SGR.
The reporter exposed an appalling investigative story that unearthed the killing of wild animals, Sh1billion monthly expense to run the SGR, racism discrimination, harassment, mistreatment of local workers and Chinese workers domination among other claims that have rubbed the SGR managers and contractors China Road and Bridge Company(CRBC) the wrong way.
This writer was not however, able to establish if indeed the reporter has been threatened over the story.
The exposé has caused huge outcry in the public forcing Kenya Railways to launch independent investigations into the mistreatment claims.
In a show of solidarity, netizens commented;
@consumerskenya tweeted: Journalists will not be bullied for telling the truth and being the voice to the voiceless #IStandWithWafula @JulianWanjiru #IStandWithWafula.
@sinimsafiri tweeted: SGR Cartels trying to silence the voice of the society will not succeed, clean up your mess! @ArnoldNgure @JoseSosi @KoffiBarry1 #istandwithwafula.
@rodgerwilly tweeted: Can a Kenyan in China do what the Chinese are doing to us here in Kenya? We are not a hip of garbage..our people must be respected, #IStandWithWafula.
@Spazbender posted: So now we are bullying journalists because of exposing the truth? That neocolonialism is happening right under our noses and the big bosses are okay with it as long as they "Kula" A big shame! #Istandwithwafula.
Fellow colleagues from the Standard Group were not left behind in siding with their colleague.
Fact that SGR operators have gone on propaganda overdrive against the only BOLD journalist who dared to question tells the whole story. #IStandWithWafula #SGRSlavery
https://t.co/MYuIdDGA0D— Nzau wa Musau (@WaMusau) July 17, 2018
Real Journalism doesn't support the government, it questions it #IStandWithWafula — Ma†e †ongola ™ (@Mate_Tongola) July 17, 2018
Journalists will not be bullied for telling the truth and being the voice to the voiceless #IStandWithWafula https://t.co/aQpab966ye — Julian Wanjiru Kamau (@JulianWanjiru) July 17, 2018
These bad people should understand that when consciousness escapes you it doesn't say goodbye... #IStandWithWafula @paulwaf because truth never damages a cause that is just! pic.twitter.com/KUPfeYtuk7 — Macharia Mwangi™ (@thebrandd) July 17, 2018
