Kenyans joined the rest of the world on Wednesday to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
Every year on November 2, the fourth estate takes stock and media stakeholders reflect on the prevention, protection, and prosecution of crimes against journalists.
Eliud Owalo, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and Telecommunications, was the main speaker at this year’s event, which was co-hosted by the Kenya Editors’ Guild and the Kenya Media Sector Working Group.
This year’s celebrations follow a general election marked by attacks on journalists and the assassination of Pakistani investigative journalist Arshad Sharif in Kajiado last month.
The Kenya Editors’ Guild and the Kenya Media Sector Working Group joined the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and Telecommunications, Eliud Owalo, in commemorating the day.
Eric Odour, Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Journalists, has expressed concern about the rise in economic crimes against journalists in the country. According to Odour, some journalists are subjected to slavery, lack of contracts, and low or no pay.
“It is sad that till today, some journalists in newsrooms have not been paid for two months; the journalists have mental health issues, little to no pay, and are sexually harassed. We must protect journalists in our newsrooms,” he said.
While the sector has been struggling since 2016, the Covid19 pandemic further eroded the already perforated revenue basket, exacerbating the sector’s cash crunch. The industry is gradually improving, but the economic downturn has hurt the industry, particularly journalists.
According to Churchill Otieno, President of the Kenya Editors Guild, the sector’s financial mandate has been delegated to commercial entities. He urged the sector to be independent and to be perceived as such.
“Where we have a reduction in supply, the public suffers. We need to create an ecosystem where do-gooders have a sustainable way to keep doing their work,” he said.
CS Owalo promised to ensure and protect media freedoms while calling on journalists to work together.
“Journalists must also work together. It is awkward that on a day as important as today different events are hosting events in different areas pointing to division. I advise that you put your house in order and get your act together,” he said.
The group demanded that the government conduct a thorough investigation into Arshad Sharif’s death and make the results public.
“The manifestation of impunity in Kenya must be noted. Every single gathering in the globe for this day will discuss the shooting of Arshad Sharif,” said Churchill.
The matter is being handled by the Ministry of Interior, according to Owalo.
