The Media Council of Kenya Calls Out Politicians Threatening Journalists Ahead of Elections

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has expressed concern about the increasing incidences of profiling and threats to individual journalists and media outlets by politicians ahead of the 9th August General Election.

In a statement on Thursday, 19th May, Council CEO David Omwoyo noted that the threats are a violation of the freedom of media practitioners and therefore those involved should stay warned.

“The Council is disturbed that such threats are likely to incite the public and political supporters against the media and may thus expose journalists and media practitioners to violations of their rights as they go about their rightful duties,” the statement read in part.

According to Omwoyo, the Council has received 45 cases of press freedom violations most of them related to electioneering and political campaigns.

“We particularly take note of the latest verbal attack against Citizen TV by Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi vide a social media post meant to intimidate the editorial discretion of the station. Hon Sudi’s statement comes after similar threats by South Mugirango Member of parliament Hon Silvanus Osoro who castigated the media outlet for biased reporting.

“We advise politicians and the public that Kenya’s media and journalists are guided by a professional code of conduct, with sufficient mechanisms for self-regulation, both as an industry or at personal level.”

The Council further encouraged Kenyans and particularly those who feel aggrieved by the conduct of the media to seek redress through the Media Complaints Commission, which is established under the Media Council Act, 213 to address media-related disputes.