Press Freedom Under Threat in Kenya’s 2022 Presidential Elections

The presidential candidates in 2022 Kenyan presidential elections (L-R): David Mwaure Waihiga, Raila Odinga, William Ruto and Prof. George Wajackoyah. Photo by GETTY IMAGES

Threats against journalists surfaced in the Kenyan presidential elections of 2022 despite strides the media had made to cover them in an objective, balanced and fair manner.

The electoral process was associated with various threats to press freedom. The presidential candidates included David Mwaure Waihiga of Agano Party, Prof. George Wajackoyah of the Roots Party, Raila Odinga of the Azimio coalition, and the eventual winner, William Ruto, of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Media Ownership a Threat to Press Freedom in Kenya

A newspaper vendor selling The Standard and Daily Nation, the most dominant privately owned newspapers in Kenya. Photo:Simon Main)

Unlike many African countries where state-owned media houses control the landscape, Kenya’s most influential media organisations are privately owned and this has significant implications for press freedom in the country.

The largest media organisations – Nation Media Group, Standard Media Group and Royal Media Services – own multiple newspapers and television and radio stations across the country, and their shareholders include powerful individuals and companies.

Kenya’s image tainted as safe haven for journalists

Kenyan journalists at a press conference in 2022. Photo by Patrick Vidija.

As one of the African countries with the highest foreign and local media presence and the most active and independent media council, Kenya has received great acclaim for a vibrant media environment compared to other nations on the continent.

The World Press Freedom Index prepared by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Kenya at 102 out of 180 countries in 2021, and in 2022, the position improved significantly, moving to 69 out of 180, the best ranked in East Africa.

The scourge of the brown envelope in Kenya; a catastrophic situation for journalists

Lydia Gachungi,  the Regional Expert for Safety of Journalists and Media Development, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa

Full multimedia story at https://theugandaagus.wordpress.com/2018/06/22/brown-envelope-journalism-leaves-kenya-in-reverse-gear/

Sources buy off journalists with money in brown envelopes

Brown envelopes may kill or promotes stories. This situation has badly affected reporting and the independence of the media, Doreen Joy Biira states.

Police, Army, a Major Threat to Media Freedom in Kenya during Elections

Kenyan police officer stopping journalists from covering election violence after announcing Uhuru Kenyatta as the president.

Full multimedia story at https://kawesiyasini.wordpress.com/2018/06/22/police-army-a-major-threat-to-media-freedom-in-kenya-during-elections/

Kenyan police and the army have been a beleaguered threat to Journalists when reporting on pre and post-election demurrals and following house-to-house raids conducted by the Kenyan police.

MEDIA FREEDOM: IS KENYA UNION OF JOURNALISTS' BARK WORSE THAN IT BITES?

Kenya`s press must fight to protect its freedom. Photo by Thomas Mukoya.

                                    

 

  • KUJ fails to advocate for media freedom.
  • Media ownership influences the union.
  • Government blamed.
  • Journalists’ freedom under attack.

 

Pages