By Pascal Ndegwa - Reporter
Loading article content...
Loading article content...
Kenya, November 02, 2026 - Kenya’s top prosecutor has promised to take action against people who attack journalists, but media groups say the real test is whether those promises lead to arrests and convictions. The pledge came as concerns grow about journalist safety ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga reaffirmed his office’s commitment to prosecuting crimes against journalists. He delivered the message through Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jacinta Nyamosi during the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in Nairobi.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions says attacks on journalists harm press freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. It also says journalism helps expose wrongdoing and hold public institutions accountable.
“Impunity” means when people commit harm but do not face punishment. That is the central issue in this story. A journalist may be threatened, beaten, or have equipment taken, but the case may end without anyone being charged or convicted.
The DPP’s office says it has pursued justice in several cases. It cited the conviction of three people in March 2024 for grievously assaulting Nation correspondent Alex Kalama Gona. Each was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
That case shows that justice is possible. But press-freedom groups want more than one strong example. They want clear information on how many attacks have been reported, investigated, charged, and resolved.
The Kenya Editors Guild has documented 45 cases of attacks and threats against journalists. Its president, Zubeidah Kananu, has called for accountability before the 2027 elections. The group wants police and oversight bodies to show what happened to each case.
The Media Council of Kenya has also raised concern about attacks on journalists. In its 2026 report on media freedom, it reported 92 verified violations in 2025. It said physical assaults were the most common form of abuse, making up 67 percent of cases. Nairobi was named the main hotspot.
More from Kenya
For journalists, the danger is not abstract. Imagine a reporter covering a protest. A crowd becomes angry, someone grabs their phone, and police officers move in. If the reporter is hurt or their equipment is destroyed, they may fear coming forward. They may also worry that no one will be held responsible.
A free press affects everyone, not only reporters. When journalists can work safely, they can report on hospitals, schools, elections, corruption, and public services. When they are attacked, citizens may lose access to information that affects their daily lives.
The DPP’s office says journalism is an important pillar of democracy. It says a free and responsible press protects the public’s right to information. But the office also depends on police investigations, witness cooperation, and strong evidence before it can take a case to court.
That is why accountability cannot rest with prosecutors alone. Police must record complaints and investigate them. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority must examine claims involving police officers. Courts must handle cases without unnecessary delay.
Press-freedom groups also want accountability for people who plan or order attacks, not only those who carry them out. That is a harder legal question, but it matters because journalists often say they face organised intimidation rather than random violence.
The timing is important. Kenya’s next General Election is expected in 2027. Elections often bring protests, political tension, and heavy coverage of public officials. Journalists may face greater pressure while reporting from rallies, counting centres, and government offices.
The DPP’s pledge is welcome to many journalists, but it is only a first step. The question now is whether the ODPP, police, and oversight bodies will publish clear case data and act quickly. Kenya’s press freedom will be judged not by promises made on commemoration day, but by the justice journalists see in court.