By Zubeidah Kananu
“We mark World Press Freedom Day this year under a theme that is both a mandate and a prayer: Shaping a Future at Peace.”
Peace, in the Kenyan context, cannot be reduced to the silence of guns or the absence of protests.
Peace must be understood as the presence of justice—and as the safety of those who dare to speak truth to power.
Recently, Justice Patrick Kiage offered a metaphor that cuts to the heart of our national dilemma: journalism is a mirror. When a society dislikes its reflection, the answer is not to smash the mirror, but to confront and correct what it reveals. And yet, too often, our institutions—both within the Executive and, at times, the corridors of justice—have responded to uncomfortable truths not with introspection, but with hostility.
This hostility is no longer subtle. It manifests in intimidation, in legal bullying, and in a growing culture of silencing dissent. The mirror is under threat. But we must be clear: without it, this nation loses its ability to see itself honestly. And without honest self-reflection, the promise of peace becomes hollow.
There is, however, a path forward—one grounded in dialogue and institutional accountability. Kenya is not without mechanisms for redress. Through the Media Council of Kenya and its Complaints Commission, aggrieved parties have a structured, professional avenue to challenge inaccuracies or ethical breaches. These are the forums we must strengthen and utilize. Threats, harassment, and digital mobbing must give way to formal, civil engagement.
As we approach a high-stakes electoral cycle, the urgency of this shift cannot be overstated. Data from the Media Council reveals that more than 75 percent of journalists who will cover the next election will be doing so for the first time. This is a “green” newsroom—young, energetic, but also vulnerable. According to the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), over 60 percent of journalists do not feel safe in the course of their work.
This is a national contradiction. We cannot claim to be building peace while those tasked with documenting our democracy operate under fear. A journalist under threat cannot perform their duty with clarity or courage. Safety is not a privilege; it is the foundation of professionalism.
And the consequences of failing this test are not abstract. They are visible, even in our own ranks. There are journalists who bear physical scars—injuries sustained in the line of duty—while justice remains delayed. A nation that delays justice for its truth-tellers sends a dangerous message: that truth itself is expendable.
But responsibility does not lie solely outside the newsroom. As editors, we must also confront our past and commit to a higher standard. There have been moments when sections of our media, particularly vernacular platforms, have been accused of amplifying division. We cannot ignore this history.
Through our partnership with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Kenya Editors’ Guild is investing in rigorous capacity building. Our goal is simple but profound: to ensure that from the newsroom to the tallying centre, there is only one version of the truth—the verified one.
We are also embracing emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, not as threats but as tools. In an age where misinformation spreads faster than facts and foreign influence can distort national conversations, these technologies must serve as shields—protecting the integrity of information and preserving the clarity of the mirror.
Yet even as we innovate, we must confront a quieter but equally insidious threat: the weaponization of the legal system. Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation—SLAPPs—are on the rise. These cases are not filed to seek justice, but to exhaust it; to drain newsrooms of resources and intimidate journalists into silence. Combined with delayed judicial processes, they amount to a slow-motion gag order.
Peace cannot be built on such foundations. Nor can it thrive in a media environment where journalists grapple with mental health struggles and financial instability. A journalist who cannot meet basic needs becomes vulnerable—not just to pressure, but to compromise. Stability, therefore, is not just a welfare issue; it is a pillar of editorial independence.
Globally, the situation is equally sobering. According to Reporters Without Borders, press freedom is at its lowest level in over two decades. UNESCO warns of a rapidly evolving battlefield where misinformation outpaces truth and where attacks against journalists—particularly women—are escalating.
What this tells us is simple: the struggle for press freedom is inseparable from the struggle for peace. Where journalism is weakened, truth becomes fragile. And where truth is fragile, peace cannot endure.
As we look ahead to the next election cycle, I speak directly to the young journalists preparing to step into this demanding arena: you are not alone. The Kenya Editors’ Guild stands with you. We will continue to advocate for your safety, your rights, and your dignity.
To our partners in government and the judiciary, the call is equally clear: engage with the media, challenge it where necessary, but above all, protect it. Protect the mirror. Because only through honest reflection can we chart a path toward a just and peaceful future.
We must not merely report on the future. We must shape it—deliberately, courageously, and truthfully—so that peace is not a distant aspiration, but a lived reality.
Zubeidah Kananu is the President of Kenya Editors Guild
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