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.

The world is reaping a harvest of terrifying consequences from escalating conflict and the near breakdown of international law, said Amnesty International as it launched its annual The State of the World’s Human Rights report today, delivering an assessment of human rights in 155 countries.

Kenya celebrated World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday. Its theme is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a Driver for all other human rights”. People and societies can protect all other rights by seeking, receiving, and imparting information. You can’t claim a right you don’t know about. If you can’t express yourself, you can’t convey your dilemma and seek solutions.

Over the years, confusion has existed regarding the overlap between the Communications Authority of Kenya, created under the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA) and the two entities created under the Media Council Act, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and the Media Complaints Commission (MCC).

A media governance storm has been brewing for the past month. So far pre-occupying a handful of state officers, media regulators, editors, and journalists, how it is handled could affect the public’s right to know and the future of Kenya’s independent press. It could also demonstrate whether the Kenya Kwanza administration has learned from the pitfalls of the Jubilee administration.

STATEMENT

Amnesty International Kenya condemns the weaponisation of contempt of court provisions to criminalise journalism. In order to lawfully limit freedom of expression and freedom of the press, provisions must be clear and concise, have a legitimate purpose, be necessary, and be proportionate. Jailing is unnecessary and disproportionate and thus unjustifiable. 

This week, a Kiambu magistrate sentenced a journalist to six months in jail or a fine of Sh50,000. Contempt of court proceedings were initiated after complaints from the prosecution side regarding misleading reporting on a State witness’ integrity over how he acquired his wealth. The media house admitted the story was inaccurate and removed it from all their platforms.

February 1, 2018.