This archive report was first published on 13 December 2021.
As the 2022 General Election approaches, Kenyan journalists have come together to form a solidarity group, dubbed Scribes 254, to ensure their safety and security.
The group, comprising over 250 journalists from various media houses, aims to provide a platform for journalists to share news assignments, contacts, and peer-to-peer mentorship.
On December 11, 2021, 100 journalists from the outfit attended an annual end-of-year event sponsored by the Media Council of Kenya and Amnesty International, Kenya.
During the event, the journalists called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and state agencies to ensure their security while covering the campaigns.
They argued that as messengers, their work was simply to pass the message and that they should not be targets of political parties and their operatives.
Speaking at the event, Amnesty International Kenya's Ramadhan Rajab reiterated the need to protect journalists, stating, "As we head to elections, we will see more and more journalists facing threats from various political players. And that should not be allowed to happen."
On April 24, 2021, police beat and injured nine journalists in Makumi, Mbeere South, Embu County, who were covering a story regarding the forceful eviction by police officers.
Similarly, on November 7, 2021, Zacchaeus Mwasame, an NTV reporter, was attacked by goons at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County while covering a football match.
A file image of BBC journalist Roncliffe Odit, who is the Scribes254 President, said, "Our jobs can become very stressful, and such events offer a relief for us as we gear towards the next year."
Terry Nzau of Mbaitu FM was awarded as the most outstanding journalist of 2021 during the event.
