Press freedom in Kenya is still a mirage
As the world prepares to mark the World Press Freedom Day, journalists in kenya have nothing to smile about following the death threats targeted against them.
This is according to the Kenya correspondents Association Chairman K.C.A William Oloo Janak in meeting with journalists in Eldoret that has brought together several journalists from north rift regions and western parts to discuss on threats posed to them
A case in point is the gruesome murder of veteran Eldoret based journalist John Kituyi, the owner and editor of The Weekly Mirror newspaper on 30th April 2015.
Kituyi was walking home from work at around 7:30 p.m. when assailants on a motorcycle approached him and repeatedly hit him with a blunt object and seized his phone. They did not take his money or his watch.
Kituyi, 63, was the editor and publisher of the Mirror Weekly, a privately owned newspaper based in Eldoret with a regional focus. He had previously worked as the bureau chief for the private daily Standard in Eldoret, but quit to launch the Mirror Weekly in 1995,
local journalists told CPJ.
His articles focused primarily on regional politics in Western Kenya, but he also covered national issues.
This among other cases, was assault to journalists in Kitale by the County Government askaris who among them was a Royal media Journalist David Musundi, West media’s Leonard Wamalwa, mediamax Saka Richard and then Imani who has since moved to TV Magharibi Dancan Waswa were assaulted in line of duties.
The four reported a statement to the police upon which several officials were charged in a court of law in kitale.
TV Magharibi journalist Dancan Waswa recalled the events he underwent when he was attacked by goons from the county government who beat him damaging his camera and leaving him with wounds that took time to heal.
“I was descended upon by goons who I didn’t knew at the gate of the county administration who beat me and left me with severe injuries that I nursed for months”, said Waswa.
And in an exclusive interview, Kituyis family led by her daughter Sarah Kituyi who is still residing in Eldoret expressed concerned over the government delay in bringing the perpetrators of the heinous act to book a year down the line.
After the killing, one person who was found with the deceased phone was arrested. The case is still ongoing in court.
“Since the killing of our father, the case has been dragging in court and only coming up for mention. This amounts to justice denied. Our father was a bread winner and my siblings are constantly being chased away from school due to lack of fees,” said Sarah Kituyi, his daughter.
Mr. Kituyi’s murder has sparked fear among journalists in the region who have constantly received death threats in the line of duty due to sensitive stories they have written.
Barely a month after the death of Mr. Kituyi, another journalist Michael Olinga of the Standard was kidnapped by unknown people and driven to Molo town.
He was told later dumped and warned against writing stories about insecurity and land matters in Uasin Gishu County.
“It was around 1.a m and I was coming from watching a football match in a club when some people in a saloon car called my name. I don’t remember what happened next as I lost consciousness after they forced to drink a concoction,” said Mr Olinga.
The thugs stole Ksh 4,000 cash from the journalist and another Ksh .7,000 from his bank account using his ATM card. Nobody is yet to be arrested following the abduction.
Following the incident, journalists stormed Eldoret police station demanding to be assured of their safety.
“We are no longer free to discharge our duties for fear of brushing shoulders with some people who feel their misdeeds have been exposed. These days you are uncertain if you will reach home safe,” said Jessica Nyaboke of the Star newspaper.
Uasin-Gishu County Commissioner Abdi Hassan has assured journalist operating in the area not to feel intimidated but should continue doing their work without any fear.
“We call on the members of the press to be cautious of their safety and report any threats to police. They will also ask for security when covering hostile environments,”said Mr Hassan.
Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) Chairman William Oloo Janak blamed the government for failing to provide security for the journalists.
Janak said that there have been increased cases of unjustified arrests, assault and murder of journalists especially with the devolved system of government.
“It is unfortunate that you are attacked by the state officials who are meant to protect you. In Eldoret, most of the journalists are terrified, not knowing what will befall them next,” said Jana
Janak however appealed to journalists to join their organizations that will brace for their rights so that when a similar case is reported such organizations can stand with them in bracing for justice calling for them to report any case of intimidation or threats that they may come across so that immediate action is taken.
“Some of our journalist are assaulted and threatened but don’t report those cases to police and their unions, I call upon all journalists who will undergo these threats to report the matter immediately so that its followed up”, said Janak.
His sentiments were echoed by the DW representative Sigrid Thomsen who called upon the journalists to take care of their security and be aware of what is happening around them when it comes to security concerns which she said was more paramount.
She however appealed to journalists to uphold high levels of professionalism in their work that will save them from constant court cases and threats posed by enemies of media.
“I call upon all journalist to practice high level of professionalism when discharging their duties so that they avoid threats and assaults posed against them,” said Sigrid.
According to a report by Article 19 titled “Silenced and Intimidated” 65 journalists faced different forms of violation in 2015, with 58 of this being male.
Types of violations included murder (One), physical attack (30), threats by phone (10),legal threats (six), summons by police (five), arrests and charged for defamation (12) and conviction for misuse of communication gadgets (one).
Among the issues which the journalists were investigating at the time of violation included corruption, land, ICC, Protests, Security and Education with Nairobi leading with 23 cases. Uasin-Gishu had eight violations and Trans Nzoia four
Among the major perpetrators included police, state officers, politicians, football stewards,mob and unknown individuals.
The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek,a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists.
