This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
On World Press Freedom Day, Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi acknowledged the bravery of investigative journalists like Citizen TV's Purity Mwambia, who face risks while uncovering corruption.
Speaking at the Media Council of Kenya's World Press Freedom Day Celebration, Muturi noted that media houses often fail to compensate journalists adequately for their sacrifices.
"I was recently shocked and worried for Purity Mwambia's safety after watching her incisive documentary on Citizen TV," Muturi stated. "But how much do these people take home?"
According to Muturi, corruption has infiltrated both the media and Parliament, with media owners often paying their staff members poorly, including those who take on dangerous investigative stories.
He emphasized the need for media houses to adjust to modern business models, employing and retaining top reporters and providing them with fair compensation.
"Let us be serious and honest with ourselves. Pay these reporters well and then demand integrity," Muturi advised.
Mwambia's exposé, 'Guns Galore,' which revealed how police officers aided crime syndicates, sparked mixed reactions from Kenyans online.
