The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has raised alarm over a growing wave of attacks against journalists covering political activities across the country, warning that the violence threatens press freedom and Kenya’s democracy ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued late Monday, the Council called on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Inspector General of Police to urgently investigate the attacks, arrest those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted.
MCK said at least 18 journalists and two media drivers from different media houses had been assaulted and injured by politically funded goons over the past two months, with equipment destroyed, stolen or damaged.
The latest incidents occurred on Sunday during the Linda Mwananchi rallies in Homa Bay, where at least eight journalists and two drivers were reportedly attacked.
Among those affected were Mediamax journalists Francis Mwangi and Evans Okeyo, whose vehicle was burnt, while Standard Group journalists Sammy Omingo and Rodgers Ouso were physically assaulted.
Agence France-Presse journalists Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro were also attacked and had their cameras destroyed. KBC journalist Ken Odiwuor Mavienga was beaten and had his equipment stolen.
Citizen TV journalist Kevin Fraji and his driver were also assaulted, while their vehicle was destroyed.
The Homa Bay violence has attracted widespread condemnation, with political leaders warning that the attacks could signal an escalation of political intolerance as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.
MCK said the continued attacks, intimidation and apparent failure to prosecute perpetrators were creating a climate in which those targeting journalists were becoming increasingly emboldened.
It warned that the situation was particularly dangerous because journalists play a critical role in providing voters with information and facilitating public debate during elections.
The Council cited several other recent incidents as evidence of a worrying pattern.
On August 12, Nation Media Group photojournalist Karim Rajan was attacked and injured near the Mombasa County Assembly while covering a gathering involving youth and human-rights representatives.
On July 23, five journalists from Mt Elgon TV were attacked while covering a political aspirant in Kimilili, with one journalist seriously injured.
During the Ol Kalou by-election, at least four journalists were also physically attacked and their equipment confiscated.
The incidents come against a backdrop of repeated concerns over the safety of journalists covering politically charged events.
In July, a K24 crew covering the Linda Mwananchi convoy in Keumbu, Kisii County, was attacked, leaving a journalist injured, a camera destroyed and a media vehicle extensively damaged.
MCK has previously warned about attacks on journalists in Homa Bay.
Its 2026 State of Media Freedom report documented Homa Bay as one of the counties that had emerged as a significant hotspot for press freedom violations.
The Council said it had documented the latest cases and submitted them to the Inspector General of Police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the ODPP for investigation and prosecution.
It, however, expressed concern over what it described as limited progress in bringing perpetrators to account.
According to the Council, attacks on journalists violate the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and media freedom, as well as Kenya’s international obligations to protect journalists.
The Homa Bay attacks have meanwhile intensified debate over the country’s preparedness for the 2027 elections.
Presidential hopeful and former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has questioned how the violence could have occurred without the knowledge of the country’s security leadership, while other political leaders have called for swift action against those responsible.
For MCK, the issue goes beyond individual journalists who have been injured or lost equipment.
The Council says failure to hold perpetrators accountable risks normalising violence against the press and could ultimately undermine the public’s right to information.
It has therefore urged security agencies and prosecutors to work closely with affected journalists and media houses to bring those responsible to justice.
With political temperatures already rising in different parts of the country, the Council’s warning underscores a growing concern: if journalists cannot safely cover political campaigns, Kenyans may struggle to access the independent information they need to make informed choices in 2027.
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