This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
Kenya: Covid, Shrinking Freedoms Overshadow World Press Freedom Day ¶
May 3, 2021, marks World Press Freedom Day, a day that is set to be overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic and shrinking press freedom in Kenya.
The East Africa Editors Society will lead journalists from the region in marking the day, with the United Kingdom Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, as the keynote speaker in the virtual event.
While the constitution and laws in East African states guarantee speech and media freedom, critics say that the enjoyment of these rights is largely dependent on the political establishment and economic environment of the day.
Journalists in Kenya have faced arrests and intimidation during the pandemic, with the police accused of launching tear gas towards journalists, damaging their equipment, or arresting some.
Two notable incidents include the assault of NTV journalist Peter Maina in March 2020 while reporting on the excessive use of force by police enforcing Covid-19 containment measures, and the assault of Weru TV journalist George Muriithi two days later while filming police enforcing social distancing in Meru County.
Seven journalists were also assaulted and arrested while covering the Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA) demolitions in Mbeere, Embu County, in April 2021, despite identifying themselves to the police officers.
The pandemic has also affected media revenues, leading to layoffs and salary cuts, with hundreds of journalists losing their jobs and correspondents facing a complete loss of opportunity to contribute and earn a pay.
"Hundreds of journalists have lost their jobs coupled with salary cuts. The situation is worse for correspondents who completely lost the opportunity to be contributing and hence no pay," says Merciline Nyambala, Executive Director of Association of Media Women in Kenya.
Despite these challenges, the media has remained at the centre of unearthing corruption scandals, such as the multibillion-shilling tenders saga involving the supply of Covid-19 kits to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa).
