Media owners challenged to establish special fund for journalists attacked on duty

By Peter Ochieng

Kisumu Deputy Governor (DG) Mathew Owili has challenged the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and media owners to establish a special fund, to serve as an assistance avenue for journalists who get injured in line of duty.

Speaking during the 2023 edition of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists marked in Kisumu on Thursday, Owili said a special fund should be in place to cater for the journalists immediately something negative happens as they go about their duties.

"Is it not high time media owners and the media council established some special fund to cater for journalists who are hurt while on duty as we wait for bigger interventions? How will we ever appreciate this men and women who risk their lives to bring us new information every day?" he paused.

The DG however noted that at the moment, all is not gloom appreciating the role being played by MCK and other stakeholders in reaching out to members of the press harmed while at work.

"Allow me to challenge Media Owners Association, the Media Council, and the Kenya Union of Journalists to find urgent homegrown solutions to protect our journalists from further harm. I know the above-mentioned organizations have stood with journalists during times of distress, but I think they should take the war nearer to the doorsteps of the government, especially the Ministry of Interior, whose police officers are the worst Lords of Impunity against journalists."

"What happens when Kenyan journalists suffer injuries, lose equipment or even die during attacks? Who compensates them or their families? How many journalists in Kenya are insured against injuries or deaths while at work?"

In 2023 alone, 107 journalists have faced various forms of attacks while on duty, according to MCK.

David Omwoyo, MCK Chief Executive Officer says the numbers are worrying, warning that if not checked, the situation may soon get out of hand.

The CEO said it is regrettable that students have joined a long list of people who carry out attacks against members of the fourth estate.

“The attacks come from the police, public, politicians, and now from the unlikely quarters; students,” he noted.

Themed protecting press freedom in the face of rising attacks and impunity in Kenya, the media council and Katiba Institute organised event saw journalists who have previously been attacked by police while doing their job, share their experiences.

Isaiah Gwengi, a journalist with Standard Group has been attacked twice by police, in 2017 and 2023.

What pains him is the fact that no action was taken against officers who attacked him.

Judy Munyinyi, the Information Secretary at the Ministry of Information and the Digital Economy assured media stakeholders that the Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to ensuring that journalists play their role in a free environment, free from attacks and threats.

DG Owili concluded by urging journalists to work in unity, in a bid to end impunity.

"As I conclude, the Fourth Estate, I wish to remind you that one of the best weapons against attacks and impunity is unity amongst yourselves. A divisive media will not stand against the enemy and win. Be your brother’s keeper. Never betray a colleague because as I told members of the civil society at a meeting yesterday, you will need that colleague to protect and speak out for you at times of need."

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) records show that more than 1,600 journalists have been killed across the world since 1993.

On 2nd November, 2023, to French journalists were brutally killed in Mali, which made the United Nations General Assembly to passed a resolution proclaiming November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.