US Ambassador Robert Godec on Tuesday requested President Uhuru Kenyatta's government to respect media freedom for the sake of development.
Godec, who is set to leave the country after completion of his duty, told a group of journalists that media practitioners contribute a great role in ensuring public awareness and should be allowed to work freely.
"We have seen threats against journalists. These need to stop. Journalists need to be protected. They need to be free to do their jobs. Everyone should be free to say whatever they want to say in an effort to build a better Kenya.
"Freedom of the media and freedom of expression are so vitally important for the future of the country," Godec stated while in Kisumu.
[caption caption="File image of British High Commissioner to Kenya Nic Hailey with the outgoing US Ambassador Robert Godec"]
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Speaking on the recent Editors Guild election, the ambassador noted that he is hopeful the new officials of the organisation will contribute to the freedom of the media.
"We welcome the election and we look forward to working with him and his colleagues to help protect freedom of the media," Mr Godec exclaimed.
The Editors Guild is a professional body of journalists often comprising of media chiefs.
Last Saturday, Nation Managing Editor for Digital, Mr Churchill Otieno was elected as Chairman and journalism scholar Christine Nkuku as Secretary-General.
Mr Otieno took over from Royal Media Services (RMS) Director of Strategy and Innovation Linus Kaikai.
In his acceptance speech, Otieno stated that the guild needed to 'get the house in order' as he highlighted the influence they had as the media.
"Many tend to think power is only in government but there is power in the private sector and in people who hold different positions in society. Many of them are not in government," he stated.
[caption caption="File image of Churchill Otieno poses with other officials of the Editors Guild after his election as Chair"]
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