Wycliffe Nyamasege 
KTN News’ Point Blank show host Tony Gachoka on Wednesday announced that the political show will not be airing starting today, April 8, until further notice.
Gachoka cited negative effects of COVID-19 as a reason for halting the show.
He went on to mention that a raft of measures issued by government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including social distancing had negatively affected the show’s production schedule and activities.
“Covid19 has affected how we interact, communicate & congregate @KTNNewsKE @StandardKenya it has changed how we decimate news & record interactive shows. I have decided to suspend #KTNPointblank with immediate effect until we can see the better end. Let’s follow Government advice!” Gachoka wrote on Twitter.
Covid19 has affected how we interact, communicate & congregate @KTNNewsKE @StandardKenya it has changed how we decimate news & record interactive shows. I have decided to suspend #KTNPointblank with immediate effect until we can see the better end. Let's follow Government advice!
— Tony Gachoka (@TonyGachoka) April 8, 2020
Read: Boniface Mwangi Slams KTN’s Tony Gachoka For Censoring Interview To “Protect” Uhuru
Going on with the show, he said, would mean putting his crew and interviewees at risk of contracting the contagious disease.
“COVID-19 means shooting a show with so many logistics puts many at risk. This includes crew, guest & myself. The other consideration for me was to allow the Country focus on the pandemic without any other sideshows. So for now #KTNPointblank with me will remain suspended, ” added.
Covid19 means shooting a show with so many logistics puts many at risk. This includes crew, guest & myself. The other consideration for me was to allow the Country focus on the pademic without any other sideshows. So for now #KTNPointblank with me will remain suspended. @cbs_ke
— Tony Gachoka (@TonyGachoka) April 8, 2020
But Kenyans would not take any of his explanation and instead insisted that the Standard Media Group-owned TV station had shown him the door over his “bad character” thanks to his many scandals and controversy. He, however, denied the claims vehemently saying “nobody has sacked me. I have suspended my show.”
Point Blank show made its debut on February 13, 2019, and was touted as a potential rival of Jeff Koinange Live (JKL), that airs on Citizen TV every Wednesday, that would later prove to be a tall order.
Read Also: Tony Gachoka Faces Backlash For Hosting Anti-Ruto Crusaders, Accused Of Biasness
Unlike Jeff Koinange’s live shows, Gachoka recorded his interviews, edited them before KTN News aired them on Wednesday every week.
A source intimated to this writer that the reason why Gachoka was not allowed to run a live show was because the media house couldn’t trust him because of his “indiscipline”. Tony is a drunk and has in the past appeared on live TV shows intoxicated. He is also accused of having a “loose mouth” that has put him in trouble in the past.
For the period the show has been running, many viewed it as a tool to fight Deputy President William Ruto and his 2022 Presidential ambitions. In fact, he has severally been accused of biasness for allegedly inviting only anti-Ruto men to his shows.
Gachoka is a known critic of the DP. He often uses his social media platforms to “discredit” Ruto especially on matters corruption.
Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:
So it was just a matter of time before the pride and emptiness of Tony Gachoka is trimmed ..anyway he can get a job since I hear Sonko malong is opening a studio in Kiplombe..Ndii can be their first guest😃🤣 pic.twitter.com/SAtUwRFAub
— Junior Counsel 001 (@B13Kiptoo) April 8, 2020
Tony Gachoka clarifies #KTNPointblank suspension and takes it to a break if we as a country do not suffer a long drawn 😊. He will be back To fight man D.p Ruto and Tangatanga pic.twitter.com/7TlHbO5CUQ
— Alboh Nyakwara ™️ 🇰🇪 (@nyakwara_albert) April 8, 2020
Mr against Mr William Ruto AKA Tony Gachoka kazi imeisha , Sasa enda ukunywe pombe na huko Diani , Kiburi haiendagi mahali bythe way. Nduta alisema ukweli btwn . Mimi wacha nisip tea Sasa ,Juu nililishwa block juu tunadai Doo zetu. Sijui which station will employ you next. pic.twitter.com/4VXRPc4HPG
— KabarakFinest001 (@KabarakFinest01) April 8, 2020
If you ever compared Tony Gachoka with Jeff Koinange, please delete your pathetic twitter account now! Imagine a talk show being deemed USELESS when there is a global pandemic! That wife-beater is useless! pic.twitter.com/c2a4r7fZB4
— Thuo Kimani Githuku (@thuogithuku) April 8, 2020
The suspension of Tony Gachoka's point blank show on KTN is a timely decision by the SMG. The program don't inspire viewership,but degrades the stature of the station. Tony's program thrived in tailored bias which negated professional journalism & ethical media code of conduct.
— David Tarus (@DavyKenyan) April 8, 2020
Tony gachoka has been sacked from ktn bcoz he abused WSR you are the next one to go
— Hussein-Spf (@HusseinSpf) April 8, 2020
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