Political Journalists Association of Kenya (PJAK) have condemned their victimization while covering campaigns ahead of the General Election.
During a press conference held in Naivasha, PJAK Chairperson, Kennedy Murithi stated that they have witnessed worrying trends of intimidation, some profiled based on their religion/ethnicity, and physically assaulted when covering political events.
“PJAK is concerned that although the Constitution guarantees Freedom of the Media in article 34, we are witnessing instances of threats, intimidation, profiling of journalists, and physical assault. Statistics from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) show that since January 2022, more than 50 journalists have been affected,” Murithi stated.
According to Murithi, political journalists are key components in not just elections but in the advancement of information and democracy in Kenya.
“We want to state that journalists and especially, political journalists have no preferred candidates in this election or any other,” he said.
They called on the Inspector General of Police to assure journalists of their safety while covering elections regardless of their tribe, religion, or workplace.
Murithi also called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to hasten the accreditation of journalists who will cover the elections to ensure that they get unlimited access to polling stations and tallying centres come August 9.