Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Calls for Investigation into Journalist Attacks in Kenya

• At least 18 journalists and two drivers have been assaulted and injured in Kenya over the past two months.
• The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for an urgent investigation into the attacks.
• Kenya's laws and international treaties require authorities to guarantee a safe working environment for journalists.
• The MCK has warned that failure to hold perpetrators accountable is creating a climate of impunity, threatening democracy.

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.

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has sounded the alarm over a growing wave of attacks against journalists in the country. At least 18 journalists and two drivers from different media houses have been assaulted and injured over the past two months, with many cases still pending investigation and prosecution. The council has expressed concern that the escalating attacks pose a serious threat to media freedom and democracy ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Kenya's laws and international treaties require authorities to guarantee a safe working environment for journalists. However, despite these protections, journalist safety and protection remain elusive in Kenya. The MCK has cited Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression, human dignity, and the freedom and security of the person. The council has also highlighted international resolutions condemning violence against journalists.

The attacks on journalists in Kenya have significant implications for media freedom and democracy. If journalists are forced to work under fear and intimidation, it could have wider consequences for the country's democratic space. The MCK has warned that failure to hold perpetrators accountable is creating a climate of impunity, which threatens the very foundation of democracy. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of these developments and advise their clients on the implications for their business or organization.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware that the escalating attacks on journalists in Kenya pose a significant threat to media freedom and democracy, potentially impacting their clients' ability to access information and exercise their constitutional rights. They may need to advise clients on the implications of these developments for their business or organization.

Source: Original reporting via The Media Council of Kenya (MCK)