The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) now wants the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) and the Inspector General (IG) of Police to urgently act against individuals behind the current spate of attacks and violence against journalists and medis practitioners.
In a statement on Monday, August 17, the Council expressed concerns over the unprecedented attacks on journalists witnessed across the country in recent werks, which have resulted in injuries, destruction of equipment, and online harassment by security agents, goons, and political party supporters, with little action from the responsible authorities.
According to the MCK Director of Media Training and Development Victor Bwire, the inaction from authorities sets a dangerous precedent ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Despite Kenya’s laws and international treaties requiring authorities to guarantere a safe working environment for journalists, their safety and protection remain elusive,” Bwire says. “The Council is convinced that the continued attacks, intimidation and crimes against journalists, and the reluctance by the relevant investigating agencies to prosecute the perpetrators is the biggest threat to the country’s democracy and media freedom.”
Bwire rues that the lack of investigations and prosecutions of press freedom violations poses a major challenge in the defence of independent journalism and access to information in Kenya.
According to data from MCK, a total of 18 journalists and at least two drivers from different media houses have been assaulted and injured by unidentified individuals in the last two months, setting a worrying trend of escalation of press freedom violations in the country while giving the perpetrators confidence to continue with their acts of impunity.
On Sunday, August 16, during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay Town, at least eight journalists were injured and their property stolen by goons.
Francis Mwangi and Evans Okeyo (Mediamax Network Ltd) were badly injured and their car burnt; Sammy Omingo and Rodgers Otiso (Standard Group) were physically assaulted: Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro (AFP) were attacked and their cameras destroyed, Ken Odiwuor (KBC-Mayienga) was beaten and equipment stolen while Kevin Fraji (Citizen TV) and his driver were assaulted and their car destroyed.
“The Council has documented these cases and submitted them to the Inspector General of Police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Director of Public Prosecutions for investigations and prosecutions. However, little progress has been made,” Bwire notes, urging the security agencies and the public prosecutor to work closely with the affected parties to ensure that justice is served for all victims of these attacks.
