STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nairobi, 12 May 2026: Amnesty International Kenya is deeply concerned by the growing pattern of journalists being obstructed from performing their professional duties to report on public and political events between February and May 2026. Journalists covering political or public events have been harassed, obstructed, and physically attacked. Recently documented cases included the violent assault of journalists at a political rally in Trans Nzoia County. Reporters were beaten, equipment damaged, and footage, forcibly deleted. In Nairobi and Nyeri, journalists have been threatened, blocked, or ejected from political events despite identifying themselves as being part of the media. Reporters publicly complained of being threatened and denied access during recent Presidential functions including the Naivasha Education Conference and the ongoing Africa Forward Summit.
These incidents reveal a troubling pattern in which political and public events are increasingly becoming high‑risk environments for journalists covering political or public events. Violent political supporters, private security officers, and even law enforcement officers appear to operate with impunity. Reports further indicate journalists are increasingly being monitored and targeted for content shared on their private social media platforms pointing to a broader pattern of surveillance beyond formal reporting.
Such actions create a chilling effect on the media, push journalists toward self-censorship and breach the right to freedom of expression and media freedom under Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution. Journalists are not guests at political or public events. They are constitutional actors performing a public role central to democratic accountability. Any interference with their work is an attack on the rule of law.
The Constitution places a duty on all state and non-state actors to promote, protect, and fulfil fundamental rights and freedoms. In this regard, the recent National Assembly rejection of a Sh 826 million pay plan to settle Government’s debt to the media houses is a major blow to the financial sustainability of a free press. All individuals and institutions bear an obligation to uphold our media freedoms. The Office of the President bears a higher threshold to demonstrate compliance and leadership. Silence, inaction, or justification of these violations from any quarter only serves to entrench impunity and weaken public trust in democratic processes as Kenya moves toward the 2027 general elections.
Amnesty International Kenya calls for immediate and coordinated action to safeguard journalists and uphold constitutional protections.
- Political leaders and State Officers must guarantee safe media access, refrain from incitement or intimidation, restrain their staff or supporters, and condemn and cooperate in investigations of all attacks.
- The National Police Service must protect journalists, stop attacks promptly, respect media work, and investigate all violations independently.
- Oversight bodies, including the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and human rights organisations must strengthen documentation, investigations, and accountability for all violations, including police inaction.
Failure to act decisively risks normalizing attacks against journalists and eroding the foundation of democratic governance. Amnesty International Kenya reiterates that there can be no free and fair elections without an independent and unfettered press. We urge all duty bearers to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure that journalists can carry out their work freely, safely, and without fear.
Signed
Irungu Houghton
Amnesty International Section Director
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