Journalists’ safety, institutional support and decent working conditions dominated a Media Council of Kenya (MCK) roundtable in Mombasa, as stakeholders called for stronger collaboration to protect media practitioners ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The engagement, held at the Kenya School of Government in Mombasa to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) 2026, examined security threats, economic vulnerability and gaps in professional solidarity in an increasingly hostile reporting environment.
MCK Mombasa Regional Coordinator Maureen Mudi said protecting journalists meant looking after their physical safety, economic security and psychological wellbeing.
“Decent work is part of press freedom. Journalists must remain vigilant and prioritise their safety, especially as we move towards the elections,” she said.
Presenting findings on journalists’ welfare and working conditions, Ms Mudi outlined the economic pressures facing practitioners and how they affect independent journalism.
Faiza Melele of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights linked journalism to human rights. She called for institutional support and collaboration to protect journalists and to strengthen reporting that advances accountability and respects human dignity.
Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) activist Francis Ouma urged practical preparation before potentially dangerous assignments.
“Journalists need to be trained on how to assess situations before covering events to avoid unpleasant occurrences,” he noted.
Participants stressed the need for continuous environmental scanning, credible threat information and sensitivity to local dynamics when covering protests, security operations and political events. They also called for debriefing and psychosocial support after distressing assignments.
Ganjoni Chief Mohammed Sadiq of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration encouraged closer communication and operational collaboration between journalists and administrators.
Miano Maina of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) urged stakeholders to understand the place of data protection in election coverage, and the responsibilities that come with handling personal information.
Journalist Maseke Mwita expressed concern that goodwill and support from colleagues were sometimes lacking when practitioners faced difficulties.
Kaya FM journalist Jilani Mbura said the regulator’s efforts needed to be matched by media owners, and by journalists who understood their professional worth, particularly when negotiating contracts and accepting terms of employment.
Simeon Katee of Juhudi Trust reinforced the call for solidarity and collective responses to violations.
Participants also raised concerns about journalists’ limited familiarity with internal workplace policies and stressed the need to understand provisions affecting their duties, welfare and protection.