LIVE BLOG: Kenyan Journalists Take To The Streets In Nationwide Protests
Journalists across Kenya are uniting today, raising their voices against the rising tide of brutality and repression faced by members of the press.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
"The pen is mightier than the sword", words first written by novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839, in his historical play Cardinal Richelieu. It is a common phrase that describes the power of media on the planet.
But what happens when the wielders of the pen are under attack by state agencies, companies, and even the people they inform 24/7? Media freedoms are interrupted, journalists are scared from doing their work, all the basis of how we got here in the first place.
Journalists across Kenya are uniting today, raising their voices against the rising tide of brutality and repression faced by members of the press.
These demonstrations, featuring both local and international media representatives, are a direct response to recent violent attacks on journalists during the coverage of anti-finance bill protests, which have escalated into broader anti-government demonstrations.
Keep refreshing this page as Viral Tea provides you with the latest updates, reactions and analysis of the nationwide media protests:
1.01 pm: Journalists Demand Exit Of PS Kisiangani
Journalists have now demanded that the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani should leave office, as they marched towards Teleposta Towers in Nairobi to present their petitions.
This is as journalists continued to call out the government for its misgivings towards journalists, demanding for the government to uphold their rights and for the government to pay its debt to media houses amounting to billions of shillings.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has pledged to personally address the issues raised by journalists concerning their access to Parliament. This announcement follows growing dissatisfaction among the media, who have demanded that the Parliament Clerk address their petition.
The dispute erupted after some journalists reported being denied access to Parliament since the protests against the finance bill on June 26, which saw the building invaded. Rumours had swirled that the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) might be considering banning certain journalists from covering parliamentary proceedings due to their coverage of the bicameral house.
In a recent meeting with the Media Council of Kenya, the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), and the Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association, Speaker Wetangula assured that no journalist had been barred from entry. Despite these assurances, Citizen TV journalist Seth Olale challenged the Clerk directly, questioning the inconsistency of Parliament's support for the media while experiencing restrictions.
Rodgers Oloo, the famed Bird Man of Nairobi with his two hawks, one of them named Johnson, joins journalists during protests in Nairobi#JournalismIsNotACrime #WeAreNotCriminals pic.twitter.com/r7VgJteZ1w — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) July 24, 2024
“What you guys do is critical, we will not restrict the access of media to parliament,” the clerk responded.
KUJ Secretary General Eric Odour firmly demanded unrestricted access to journalists, stressing, "What you do is critical. We will not accept any restrictions on media access to Parliament."
11.35 am: Govt Deputy Spokesperson Denies Police Harassing & Attacking Journalists
Mwanaisha Chidzuga, Kenya’s Deputy Government Spokesperson, has ignited controversy within the media industry following her remarks that police were not intentionally harassing journalists.
According to her, the reports that journalists were victimised and assaulted were unfounded. She said "I don’t think the police are intentionally harassing or attacking journalists,” during an interview with NTV.
Chidzuga further emphasised that journalists must ensure their safety by staying in secure areas during protests and positioning themselves alongside security personnel.
11.33 am: Journalists Gather At Jogoo House, Present Demands
Journalists, among them Citizen TV's Seth Olale present their petitions outside Jogoo House in Nairobi, which houses the headquarters for the police.
The Kenya Union of Journalists has delivered their petition to Police Spokesperson Resila Atieno Onyango, demanding urgent action over recent abuses against journalists, calling for:
- Accountability for illegal shootings, beatings, abductions, and harassment of journalists, with details widely known.
- Prosecution of rogue officers implicated in crimes against journalists and innocent protesters.
- Guarantees of safety for all journalists amid escalating threats from state organs and officers.
- Cessation of veiled threats from the Communications Authority and other state bodies that endanger media freedom.
- Immediate gazettement of all Media Complaints Commission members and a halt to interference by the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy in media independence.
- Settlement of outstanding bills owed to media houses.
- Abolition of the Government Advertising Agency and an end to the use of state advertising as a tool to undermine media independence.
- An end to media censorship and unrestricted access to information.
Following this, the group will head to Teleposta Towers to deliver another petition to the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy. Although there is currently no Cabinet Secretary, the ministry's Principal Secretary, John Tanui, might be available to receive the petition. A press conference is planned outside Teleposta Towers.
10:45 am - Journalists in Eldoret and Kisii Join Protests
Protests have erupted in Eldoret and Kisii, as media practitioners express their outrage over the government's and security forces' discriminatory use of power, which has resulted in injuries and harm to journalists. "What we are asking is for protection to do our work," lamented one journalist in Eldoret.
10:30 am - Protests Commence in Mombasa
Journalists in the coastal region have begun their procession to the Mombasa Central Police Station, aiming to voice their grievances over the excessive force used by police against journalists during protest coverage.
Swaleh Mdoe joins other journalists in Nairobi taking part in nationwide protests pic.twitter.com/2quIKTGCtr — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) July 24, 2024
The Demands
The journalists have lined up their list of demands to the government, including the end to media censorship and payment of money owed to media houses.
List of demands by journalists ahead of nationwide protests on July 24, 2024. /KENYA UNION OF JOURNALISTS
How Did We Get Here?
Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), through its President Zubeida Kananu on Wednesday, July 17 issued a 7-day strike notice in which all journalists and media practitioners will take to the streets if action is not promptly taken in response to the abductions and attacks on journalists as witnessed in the recent anti-government demonstrations.
Addressing the media on Wednesday after the release of veteran Nation Media Group Editor Macharia Gaitho, an enraged Kananu accused the government of turning a blind eye towards the security of the members of the Fourth Estate, particularly those reporting on the field.
"We have got to a point that we will now issue a 7-day notice if no action is taken against those responsible. We will not need to go on the field because it seems like that is the language that the government understands. It has got to a point that I have no idea what is being hidden when we try to explain to Kenyans what is going on, what are they fearing?" she posed.
"If indeed the rights are being followed, if things are done the way they are supposed to be done, what is the fear for? We will not let the media be cowed or threatened the way it is occurring now."
Kananu called out the government over its ambition to control the country's media platforms, including denying them revenue-generating advertisements anytime they publish stories that expose the flaws of the Kenyan government.
"The other day they said that if we publish a certain story, we will not give you advertisements. Every time it's all about threats when we broadcast what is going on, you threaten to shut us down.
"We have a right as the media to report what is going on in this country and to inform Kenyans about the current affairs of this country and we will not stop, we will not be cowed nor threatened, we will keep doing our work," she added.
