KNCHR: Alarming Press Freedom Violations in Kenya, Calls for Action

• The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has expressed serious concerns over attacks on journalists.
• Kenya recorded 92 verified press freedom violations in 2025, with 67% being physical assaults, according to the Media Council of Kenya's 2026 report.
• The KNCHR calls for prompt, impartial investigations and accountability for all individuals involved in attacks against media practitioners.
• Authorities are urged to protect journalists from physical, digital, and legal harassment to ensure a safe working environment.
• Safeguarding journalists is deemed essential for upholding freedom of expression, human rights, and democratic governance.

The KNCHR's firm stance, encapsulated in its directive to "Protect journalists. Defend freedom of expression. End impunity," reinforces the critical need for measures that guarantee journalists can carry out their work safely and without undue interference.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has voiced significant alarm regarding the increasing number of attacks targeting journalists, highlighting a concerning trend that jeopardizes the public's fundamental right to information and undermines the bedrock of democratic accountability. The commission's warning follows a period marked by widespread violence and intimidation directed at media professionals across the nation.

According to data compiled in the Media Council of Kenya's State of Media Freedom in Kenya 2026 report, Kenya experienced 92 verified press freedom violations throughout 2025. A substantial majority of these incidents, precisely 67%, involved physical assaults, underscoring the severe risks journalists face while performing their duties. These figures paint a stark picture of the persistent dangers confronting those who endeavor to report on matters of public interest.

In response to these alarming statistics, the KNCHR has issued an urgent appeal for robust action from authorities. The commission specifically demanded that all crimes committed against journalists be subjected to prompt, impartial, and effective investigations. Furthermore, it stressed the imperative for those found responsible to be held fully accountable for their actions.

The KNCHR's call for accountability extends beyond the immediate perpetrators of physical assaults. The human rights body insisted that individuals who plan, facilitate, or mastermind attacks on media practitioners must also face justice, ensuring that the chain of responsibility is thoroughly addressed. The commission also urged the government and other relevant institutions to implement comprehensive measures designed to shield journalists from various forms of harassment, including physical violence, digital intimidation, and legal challenges. It is crucial, the KNCHR argued, for Kenya to cultivate an environment where independent journalists can operate securely, free from the specter of intimidation or fear of reprisals.

The implications of these press freedom violations extend far beyond the individual journalists affected, posing a direct threat to the broader principles of freedom of expression, human rights, and democratic governance. When journalists are targeted for seeking and disseminating truth, the public's capacity to access vital information is severely curtailed, thereby impeding informed public discourse and accountability.

The KNCHR underscored that a free and independent press remains an indispensable pillar of any functioning democracy, essential for fostering transparency and holding power to account. The KNCHR's firm stance, encapsulated in its directive to "Protect journalists. Defend freedom of expression. End impunity," reinforces the critical need for measures that guarantee journalists can carry out their work safely and without undue interference. The ongoing concerns about journalist safety and the wider ramifications of such violations for public access to information highlight the urgency of addressing these systemic issues.

Lawyers advising media organizations or individual journalists in Kenya should be aware of the escalating risks of physical, digital, and legal harassment. The KNCHR's call for prompt investigations and accountability for press freedom violations provides a basis for legal action and advocacy to protect journalists and uphold freedom of expression.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM.