The Media Council of Kenya has stepped in with a stern warning to the government following a series of alarming incidents against journalists in recent days.
In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, June 1, the MCK condemned what it described as a 'worrying pattern of hostility from the state towards the media'.
The MCK warned that deliberate targeting of journalists and media personalities was a direct violation of Article 34 of the Kenyan Constitution, which discusses media freedom.
The council highlighted several incidents where journalists were subjected to physical and mental chaos, including a harrowing ordeal at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County during Madaraka Day celebrations.
On Sunday, six journalists from Standard Media Group, Nation Media Group and Royal Media Services were injured and had their valuables stolen after an altercation with goons at the Raila Odinga stadium in Homa Bay County.
According to The Standard, the journalists who were injured were TV producers Steve Okedi and Marble Achieng from KTN and NTV, respectively, as well as Journalist Ephantus Maina from Royal Media Services and NTV's George Odiwuor.
This incident, according to MCK, was a blatant disregard of journalists' welfare. The council further urged reconciliatory measures as they called for better protection of media personnel, especially during high-profile events.
"The MCK strongly condemns this behaviour and urges those responsible to adopt reconciliatory measures," the statement read. "Above all, event organisers must prioritise and guarantee journalists' safety."
Several journalists have endured worrying woes in recent times, prompting the MCK to intervene. On May 31, two KTN journalists were reportedly barred from covering the Kenya-Slovenia media briefing involving President William Ruto and Slovenia's Head of State, Nataša Pirc Musar.
"It is unacceptable that accredited journalists must beg for access to cover state events. Such gatekeeping and intimidation not only instil fear but also constitute economic sabotage in an era of competitive media content creation," MCK added in their statement.
“These actions restrict the diversity of opinions and undermine the fundamental role of the media in a democratic society."
MCK reaffirmed that coverage of national events must be available to all registered media outlets without hindrance or coercion.
