Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) President Zubeidah Kananu. PHOTO/UGC.
The postponement of the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) polls on April 12, due to a lack of quorum, has raised more questions than answers. At first glance, the cancellation may appear to be a technicality—a mere inconvenience.
However, when one examines the circumstances surrounding the event, it quickly becomes apparent that something far more sinister may be at play. A deeply troubling web of behind-the-scenes machinations, where dormant KEG members were mysteriously revived and new members recruited just days before the polls, has emerged.
KEG had announced journalists Zubeidah Kananu and Yvonne Okwara as the two contestants for the presidential seat in the much anticipated elections.
While the act of renewing membership fees for dormant members may seem innocuous at first, the real danger lies in the source of the money used to cover these fees. The question that immediately arises is: Who paid for these renewals, and why now? These allegations are alarming, particularly when placed against the backdrop of Kenya’s upcoming general election, which is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent history.
For a country that has witnessed numerous attempts to stifle media freedom, this is not just a procedural hiccup—it is a warning signal. The possibility that powerful, unseen hands are trying to shape the outcomes of the KEG elections in favour of a particular faction should concern every media practitioner in Kenya.
If these claims are verified, they point to a deliberate attempt to manipulate the very institutions that safeguard media independence in the country. And that is not just a threat to journalists; it is a direct assault on the public’s right to an independent, free press.
Historically, KEG has stood as a bulwark against state interference in the media, defending the freedom of the press with courage and conviction. From the leadership of Churchill Otieno to the current president, Zubeidah Kananu, the Guild has fought to protect journalists from undue influence and to keep the government’s hands off the media. But if the integrity of the Guild’s leadership is compromised through manipulation of its own election processes, the consequences could be disastrous for the entire media ecosystem in Kenya.
It is impossible to ignore the broader context in which these alleged machinations are unfolding. The media industry in Kenya is already on life support, battered by severe financial difficulties, widespread layoffs, and the continued failure of the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) to pay its dues to struggling media houses.
Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) presidential aspirant Yvonne Okwara. PHOTO/UGC.
The GAA, a body that was supposed to promote fairness in the distribution of government advertising, has instead monopolized the sector, awarding state contracts to a select few while leaving others to wither. As a result, journalists are being pushed to the brink, with many facing delayed salaries, unpaid statutory deductions, and an uncertain future.
This is not just a local problem—it is part of a growing global phenomenon known as media capture, where powerful political, economic, or other vested interests seize control of media outlets, distorting their role as independent watchdogs.
According to the European Media Observatory and Monitoring Centre, media capture undermines media independence, pluralism, and freedom, turning media organisations into tools that serve the interests of these powerful actors instead of the public interest.
If we allow this to happen within the KEG, we risk turning the Guild itself into an agent of political influence, rather than a defender of truth and journalistic integrity.
Article 34 of the Kenyan Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of the media, stating that “the State shall not exercise control over or interfere with any person engaged in broadcasting, the production of any programme or the dissemination of information by any medium.” Furthermore, the Constitution safeguards the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information, ensuring that no individual or institution may inhibit the flow of ideas and opinions.
The rights provided by this article are crucial in preserving the democratic fabric of our nation, especially as we approach a potentially volatile election period. The role of the media as an independent entity is not only enshrined in law but is vital to the health of our democracy.
Additionally, laws like the Media Council Act and the Broadcasting Act further protect media independence, placing the responsibility of regulating the media in the hands of an independent council, insulated from government interference. Any breach of these principles is not just a threat to the media but to the very tenets of democratic governance.
Former Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) President Churchill Otieno. PHOTO/UGC.
We must now ask ourselves: What is at stake in the upcoming KEG polls? The Guild’s role in maintaining media independence, pluralism, and freedom of expression cannot be overstated. If the upcoming elections are hijacked by forces with vested interests in controlling the media narrative, we risk undermining the very foundation of our democracy. This is a pivotal moment, one that will determine the future of the media sector in Kenya.
It is imperative that the postponed KEG polls are conducted in a transparent, free, and fair manner. Any form of interference, whether political, economic, or otherwise, must be exposed and prevented at all costs.
The media must remain a voice for the voiceless, a check on government power, and a defender of public interest. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust the Kenyan people place in their media.
The media fraternity must come together to demand answers, to call for a free and fair electoral process, and to ensure that the Guild remains an independent and unwavering advocate for the values of a free press. Anything less is a surrender of the very freedoms we hold dear.
Now is the time for vigilance. The state of Kenya’s media is hanging in the balance, and the choice is ours to make. Will we allow the forces of influence and power to erode our freedoms, or will we stand firm in the defence of an independent, free press?
The upcoming KEG polls will set the stage for the future of Kenyan journalism—let us ensure that it is one based on truth, transparency, and accountability.
In the coming days, the KEG and the media at large must take a stand. The consequences of allowing manipulation and interference to go unchecked could be felt for generations to come. We must remain vigilant, for the strength of our democracy relies on the strength of our media.
