This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
On World Press Freedom Day, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa highlighted the need for enhanced protection of journalists in Kenya, citing a decline in attacks from 59 to 51 cases between May 2019 and April 2021.
Regional Director Mugambi Kiai emphasized that the trend remains unacceptable and called on authorities to ensure thorough, impartial, and credible investigations into attacks against journalists.
According to Kiai, journalists faced challenges due to a lack of access to information on the status of their cases, with some forced into self-censorship or exile due to the perception of impunity among attackers.
“ARTICLE 19 EA documented attacks varying from phone call threats, intimidation, harassment both online and offline, physical assaults, invasion of a media house and in extreme cases, killing. Journalists blamed police officers in majority of these attacks,” Kiai said.
“Authorities must ensure protection of all journalists, by carrying out thorough, impartial and credible investigations in all cases of attacks against journalists. This should include providing information on the progress of such cases. If the authorities are indeed carrying out such investigations, providing information on investigations it will help counter the perception that nothing is being done,” Kiai added.
