National Safety Mechanisms - Kenya
National Safety Context
According to the Observatory of Killed Journalists there have been 4 recorded killings in Kenya since 1993. None of these crimes have been judicially resolved according to the latest Director-General's Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity. Kenya has responded 7 times to the Director-General's requests for information on the judicial status of the cases of these killed journalists since 2011.
There is 1 national safety mechanism being implemented in Kenya to prevent and protect journalists from crimes committed against them. More information on this initiative is summarised below including relevant links.
National Mechanism for the Safety and Protection of Journalists
The National Mechanism for the Safety and Protection of Journalists has been active since 2019.
What activities are carried out?
The Mechanism implements prevention measures such as maintaining a database of press freedom violations and organising quarterly meetings between the members of the Mechanism for information sharing monitoring on press freedom violations. Members of the Mechanism are also trained on intergovernmental monitoring and reporting standards.
As it pertains to protection measures, the Mechanism facilitates greater interaction with the National Police Service, through the appointment of a police spokesman specifically for journalist safety, and by ensuring a rapid response approach when dealing with cases of journalists in distress.
How is it implemented?
The Mechanism operates at a national level, convened through the Kenyan Media Council, who articulates the implementation of activities in cooperation with federal authorities, particularly the Kenya Police Services, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Kenya National Human Rights Commission.
Who are the stakeholders?
The Kenya Union of Journalists alongside the Media Council of Kenya are the main stakeholders of the Mechanism responsible for carrying out activities. Other civil society organisations are involved in the membership of the Mechanism, as well as law enforcement agencies, federal departments and agencies, academic institutions, journalist and broadcasting unions, and intergovernmental organisations, like UNESCO.
For more specific information on the national safety mechanism in Kenya and those in other countries please follow the links.
