By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, May 07, 2026 - The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) has accused the State of escalating hostility against the media following the exclusion of journalists from Standard Media Group and Mediamax from covering a presidential function.
In a statement sent to newsrooms by KEG President Zubeidah Kananu on Thursday, the editors’ body condemned the move, warning that Kenya risks sliding into political intolerance if attacks against independent journalism continue.
“The decision to bar journalists from Standard Media Group and Mediamax from accessing and covering a public event, coupled with the use of derogatory and inflammatory remarks directed at the ownership of The Standard, marks a deeply disturbing escalation in hostility against the media,” Kananu said.
The Guild said the incident had exposed contradictions within the government’s public commitment to media freedom, coming only days after the country marked World Press Freedom Day.
“Coming just days after Kenya commemorated World Press Freedom Day, the incident exposes a dangerous contradiction between the public celebration of press freedom and the growing intolerance toward independent journalism and critical scrutiny,” the statement read.
Kananu defended the constitutional role of the media, insisting journalism exists to question authority and hold leaders accountable on behalf of the public.
“The media is not an extension of the State. Neither is it a public relations department for those in power. Journalism exists to question, investigate, critique and hold authority accountable on behalf of the public,” she stated.
The editors’ lobby faulted leaders for allegedly resorting to exclusion and intimidation instead of addressing criticism through openness and accountability.
“It is therefore alarming that instead of responding to criticism through facts, openness and accountability, certain leaders now appear increasingly inclined toward exclusion, intimidation and public vilification of media institutions whose coverage they dislike,” Kananu said.
KEG also condemned inflammatory remarks directed at sections of the media, saying such rhetoric was reckless and dangerous.
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“The use of nasty epithets and personal attacks against media ownership is not only reckless and unbecoming of public leadership but also contributes to a hostile environment that places journalists and media institutions at risk,” the statement added.
The Guild maintained that barring journalists from public events based on editorial posture or perceived criticism violates Article 34 of the Constitution, which guarantees media freedom and independence.
“The barring of journalists based on editorial posture or perceived criticism is a direct affront to Article 34 of the Constitution of Kenya,” Kananu stated.
KEG further warned that sustained hostility toward the press could erode democratic freedoms and weaken constitutional institutions.
“History has repeatedly shown that societies do not slide into authoritarianism overnight. The erosion often begins with the normalization of hostility toward the press, the branding of critical journalism as adversarial, and attempts to isolate or delegitimize independent media voices,” the statement read.
The Guild called on President William Ruto and all public officials to demonstrate commitment to constitutionalism and democratic accountability through respect for independent journalism.
“Leaders in public office must remember that criticism is not sabotage, scrutiny is not hostility, and journalism is not treason,” Kananu said.
“A confident government does not fear scrutiny. Only insecure power fears questions.”