Volume 8 Issue 12

BSERVER
April 07, 2025

Watching the Watchdog

IEBC
COMMISSIONERS
VETTING

2 Stop intimidating journalists,

engage newsrooms and Media
Council of Kenya
4 Dear People Daily,
Gachagua responding to
security chief is not news
5 Let media, government
respect each other’s
boundaries

7 Trouble with the ‘plan’ in

Sunday Nation's coup story
10 Dicey balance between
privacy and public interest
when covering big people
12 Dear press, rise above
the glitter of sensational
headlines
EDITORIAL

Our Dear Reader,

I
nterior CS Kipchumba Murkomen offered to up a publication beleaguered by thinning
fly journalists to Elwak, Mandera County, for a circulation, plummeting readership and chron-
week’s stay. Sounds great, doesn’t it? ic commercial stagnation.”

A fully paid government trip for scribes strug- The presidency continued: “What The Standard
gling with the unbearably high cost of living, is engaged in is not journalism; it is gossip and
overtaxed payslips and job uncertainty would innuendo masquerading as news, rumour
be a most welcome break – except for staged as fact and desperation disguised as
Murkomen’s declared motive. reporting. If the newspaper has chosen to
weaponise disinformation to prop up its
The minister aimed to enable “media practi- waning relevance, it should prepare to be held
tioners [to] familiarise themselves with the kind to account not only by the institutions it
of work and sacrifices police officers make to maligns but also by the public…”
protect the nation,” K24 TV reported.
We don’t speak for The Standard. The paper –
“The CS noted that the trip would be an and every newsroom - is solely responsible for
eye-opener to journalists who have consistently its content. But can the Government of Kenya
criticized police off icers without getting to engage the media constructively? Can we talk
understand some of the extreme environmen- to each other?
tal conditions they are forced to work under in
areas such as Elwak. CS Murkomen made it The media is free and independent, otherwise
clear that some would request to return to it becomes not just a toothless dog, which is
Nairobi after spending less than half a day in bad, but also a danger to democracy, which is
the area.” abhorrent. Given the immense power of the
media to shape hearts and minds, consider for
So, journalists are ignorant of the stories they a moment what would happen to the people if
report about? When government officials are an elite group of individuals controlled national
not ridiculing the media, they are busy lectur- narratives.
ing the Fourth Estate on how to work. No
matter the tactics, they all amount to intimida- That is why the Media Council of Kenya (MCK)
tion and intolerance of media freedom. exists as an independent regulator, guarantor
and champion of media freedom. MCK’s Media
On March 31, head of Presidential Communica- Complaints Commission is an impartial arbiter
tion Service Munyori Buku unleashed a of media disputes. The Council has the power
statement that should never have come from and mechanisms to enforce legal and ethical
the highest office in the land. The presidency compliance and rein in errant practitioners.
didn’t like the lead story published by The
Standard that day. Upholding the rule of law and respecting insti-
tutions that are the critical pillars of our
The presidency of the Republic of Kenya said democracy means anyone with a complaint
the paper’s “campaign of reckless sensational- against a journalist or media house seeks
ism, flagrant hostility, and thinly veiled redress through the established channels. Or
propaganda is not only anchored on tenuous, how else should the media industry be
shaky conjecture but also laced with outright managed?
falsehoods, all seemingly orchestrated to prop

2 Volume 8 Issue 12
 EDITORIAL

We are proud of our journalists. Most of the leading media houses in our country are
paying a huge price for completely refusing to be cowed or co-opted into nefarious
schemes of lying to Kenyans and compromising watchdog and accountability institutions,
from Parliament to independent constitutional agencies, professional groups, labour
unions, to student organisations and faith communities. Our journalism stands with the
people.

If you want a quick measure of the state of governance of a country, you can have no
better barometer than the state of the media and official attitudes towards it. You can
never have a free, just and prosperous society without a free press. If the persons in power
have zero tolerance for narratives and opinions that contradict their own, they will try to
suppress a free press and freedom of speech.

That is not to say that the media is perfect. Journalism is the work of human hands. Our
commitment to truth-telling as individual professionals and as an industry means we
accept when we are wrong. The right of reply is a part of our ethical code. Publishing
corrections and clarifications, as well. The MCK ensures we stick to the straight and narrow.

Is it right that when the government – or anyone – is unhappy with a news story they
resort to insults and threats, when mechanisms for redress exist? The government must
lead by upholding the rule of law and dutifully respecting the institutions that are critical
pillars of our democracy.

See you next week!

Volume 8 Issue 12 3
MEDIA REVIEW

Dear People Daily, Gachagua responding to security

chief is not news
person's statement or rebuttal. That is not
news. It is, rather, a reactionary form of
reporting.

How did these chants start? What is the

political climate surrounding the state-
ments flying around? What are the
potential ramifications for the military and
the broader political landscape?

The story didn't just gloss over these

questions, it did not explore them at all.

Here’s the deal. Your story gave Gachagua’s

response unreasonably significant space. It
did not provide other perspectives on the
issue. What are the views of those chanting
"Ruto must go"? Or what is the KDF's role in
national politics? These were not explored.
That's how you lost balance.

T
Moreover, you presented Gachagua's
he heading said: Gachagua Responds “response” without critical engagement or
to KDF Boss Warning Over 'Ruto Must exploration of the implications of his stance,
Go' Chants. which could be vital in understanding the
tension between political leadership and
The intro of this story by Lutta Njomo
the military.
doubled down: “Former Deputy President
Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday, March 29, What is the score?
2025, responded to Chief Defence Forces
(CDF) General Charles Kahariri’s warning Depth of Reporting: The story was
against ‘Ruto Must Go’ chants.” surface-level reporting. It did not
explore the deeper political and social
So, what was the news, that Gachagua issues in play.
responded to something? How is that
news? Contextualisation: No context. The story
missed an opportunity to delve into the
Why focus on Gachagua’s “response”? Who "Ruto must go" chants (why the
asked him to respond? chants?), the KDF’s role, and the politi-
cal implications.
By framing this story around Gachagua’s
reaction, you missed the broader issue. Why Balance: The story lacked balance. It
was KDF issuing the warning? What does focused solely on Gachagua’s response
the crescendo of “Ruto must go” chants without offering any opposing views or
signify? What are the political or national analysis of the broader situation.
implications? These would form the heart of
good reporting. Investigative journalism: This was not a
casual matter. The political and military
But getting enthralled with “Gachagua’s tensions hinted at are grave matters for
response” oversimplif ied the issue. It the republic. This required more inves-
seemed like the news was simply about one tigation and analysis.

4 Volume 8 Issue 12
 MEDIA REVIEW

Let media, government respect each other’s

boundaries

T
he Standard and Nation media Kisiang’ani of being one of the biggest
groups have in recent weeks been the threats to press freedom. It added that the
topics of discussion and debate, albeit PS’ actions were not only illegal but also
for different reasons. immoral.

For The Standard, the move to exclude it The story quoted Kenya Editors Guild presi-
from carrying out a media campaign for dent Zubeidah Kananu saying Kisiang’ani’s
the launch of the National Irrigation Sector actions raised serious concerns about press
Investment Plan under the Ministry of ICT f reedom, media independence, and the
after having been given approval for the government’s commitment to upholding
same caused quite a furore. constitutional values. She challenged the
government to rescind the decision.
Former ICT Principal Secretary Edward
Kisiang’ani cancelled the group’s engage- Kananu said: “The Constitution of Kenya,
ment in a letter dated March 14, 2025. No under the Bill of Rights, explicitly guaran-
reason for this action was given. However, tees press f reedom. Taxpayers’ money
industry players think it could be because should never be used as a tool to muzzle
of the headlines and stories the paper has the media or exert undue influence over
been carrying of late, which have mostly editorial decisions. Government advertising
been critical of the government. is not a privilege but a service to the public,
and it should be allocated transparently
In response, the newspaper on Wednesday, and fairly, without being weaponised
March 19, 2025, went with the headline against media houses that are simply fulfill-
‘Enemy of the press’, and accused Prof ing their mandate of informing the public

Volume 8 Issue 12 5
MEDIA REVIEW

and holding those in power accountable.”

Kenya Union of Journalists secretary gener-

a l E ri c O d u o r we i g h e d i n , te rm i n g
Kisiang’ani’s move as “retrogressive and
unprofessional”. “Standard Media Group is
being punished for playing its role of
holding the leaders to account. Punishing
the media house is wrong and illegal,” he
said.

As the debate raged on, a Cabinet reshuffle

saw Kisiang’ani removed from the State
Department for Broadcasting and
Telecommunications and appointed senior
adviser to the President on economic
matters.

In a separate development, the Nation

Media Group was under the spotlight over
what the Ministry of Defence claimed were

" While conflict between media and government is unavoidable, such confrontations
could be less scathing if each party understood and respected the place and role of
each other.

inaccurate articles. This was in reference to

articles carried by Sunday Nation on March
uphold the principles of ethical journalism
by ensuring accuracy, fairness, and respon-
16, 2025 under the headline ‘Raila: I saved sibility especially in matters of national
Ruto from military coup’, and another in its security.
sister publication Taifa Jumapili titled
‘Nilivyozima mapinduzi dhidi ya Ruto’. These two incidents are a clear indication
that something is amiss between the
In a statement, the ministry said the articles Fourth Estate and the government. This
were based on unverified claims from an despite the fact that their rules of engage-
undisclosed source and termed them ment are well documented and clear to all
sensational reporting aimed at increasing concerned.
readership rather than upholding journalis-
tic integrity. We urge both parties to carry out their
mandates and obligations in a responsible
“The ministry categorically states that the way and in accordance with the laid down
claims in the newspaper articles are false, rules. While conflict between media and
baseless, unfounded, misleading, and government is unavoidable, such confron-
indeed, reckless,” the statement said. tations could be less scathing if each party
understood and respected the place and
The ministry urged the media house to role of each other.

6 Volume 8 Issue 12
 MEDIA REVIEW

Trouble with the ‘plan’ in Sunday Nation's

coup story

O
n March 16, the Sunday Nation vene.”
woke the nation with the catchy
The newspaper had barely rested in the
headline; “Raila: I saved Ruto from
newsstands when social media was flooded
military coup.”
with condemnation of the Nation Media
The headline was informed by an “exclusive Group by people who felt the media house
interview” the former Prime Minister Raila had misreported the matter.
Odinga had granted veteran journalist and
Initially, uninformed and clueless critics-
Weekly Review writer Macharia Gaitho, at
including some f rom Raila’s ODM
his Karen home.
party- thought that Sunday Nation had
In the story, Raila had compared the events misinterpreted Raila’s remarks at a funeral
of Gen Z protests of last year to the revolu- held the previous day.
tion in Egypt which ended in a military
“The headline in today’s Sunday Nation is a
take-over. He claimed by unleashing the
total misrepresentation of facts. Nowhere in
military to the streets to quell the riots,
his speech at the funeral of Col. Gitahi did
President Ruto was unwittingly handing
Raila say anything related to what you have
over power to the military.
splashed. This is irresponsible journalism,” a
“Ruto can be removed through the ballot, senior ODM official wrote on X platform,
but once soldiers get out of the barracks, before the post disappeared.
they never go back,” Raila was quoted in
The matter later ballooned when the Minis-
the story as saying.
try of Defense issued an official statement
The story also claimed that an unnamed terming the reportage “inaccurate” and the
friend of Raila’s “got wind of such a plan claims “false, baseless, unfounded, mislead-
and called him, asking to urgently inter- ing and reckless.”

Volume 8 Issue 12 7
MEDIA REVIEW

deal with the President. He was therefore

speaking from his own point of view, on
what triggered him to work with the Presi-
dent.

Fifth, Raila is himself no stranger in Jerusa-

lem when it comes to coups. By his own
admission, he was involved in the planning
of the 1982 aborted coup against Kenya’s
second President Daniel Arap Moi. He was
subsequently detained without trial for
many years.

He may not be an authority on coups, but

by virtue of his experience, but also as a
statesman, he knows a thing or two about
coups. Besides, he gave an elaborate expla-
“The publication of the articles by the nation in the story about the nature of the
Nation Media Group, based on unverified coup he was talking about.
claims from undisclosed source, is not only
“I was the last international leader to be
irresponsible and unpatriotic but also a
hosted by Mubarak. Protests were already
clear example of sensational reporting
underway, and he assured me that he had
aimed at increasing readership rather than
things under control. Two weeks later he
upholding journalistic integrity,” the
was deposed,” he explained, adding all the
unsigned statement f rom Ulinzi House
details of the debacle that ensued with
read.
Muslim Brotherhood, and eventually the
So, was the repor t inaccurate, false, military coming in to restore order in Egypt.
baseless, misleading, reckless, sensational,
In this context, and taking into considera-
or irresponsible as was claimed?
tion the points raised here, the story as well
The first thing to note is that the source of as the headline was- by and large- neither
the story, the subject matter of the inter- baseless, unfounded, inaccurate, mislead-
v i ew, d i d n o t co m p l a i n o r h a d n o t ing nor false.
complained as at the time of writing this
piece.

Secondly, Raila has previously spoken about

his palpable fear of a military takeover in
the guise of quelling the riots. Indeed, he
has always used this as the justification into
why he rushed to the rescue of President
Ruto.

Third, the newest element, and which the

Ministry of Defence seemed to have taken
serious issue with, was the claim from the
unnamed friend of Raila who “got wind of
such a plan” and nudged him to offset it by
working with Ruto.

Fourth, this was a one-on-one interview,

and was probably the first sit-down inter-
view since Raila formally signed a political

8 Volume 8 Issue 12
 MEDIA REVIEW

However, there is the small matter of the military intervention? Who came up with
"plan" which Sunday Nation cannot shake the idea in the first place? Was this "plan"
off. This is the matter of the claim that a ever reported to the Commander-in-Chief,
friend of Raila got wind of the “plan” and and are there any active investigations
alerted him into tipping the scales for Ruto. ongoing? This would have been good
follow-up questions to either Raila or the
It would have been very important for
government.
Gaitho to push Raila on this, partly because
this is a very serious claim, but also because To the extent that there was no effort to
it would have established whether Raila further pursue this line in the interview,
was merely evading the question on his Sunday Nation was reckless to include such
actual reasons for closing ranks with Ruto. a loaded claim in the story. But the blame is
equally shared by the subject of the inter-
The way the "plan" was introduced left
view, Raila, who also refused to name the
every reasonable reader to conclude that
person who told him about the alleged
this was not an Egypt-like kind of a coup
plan.
which flowed out of necessity and circum-
stances. By using the term "plan", Raila Finally, it is instructive to note neither the
implied a deliberate occasioning of a coup ministry statement nor the flood of criti-
but riding on the protests, something cism in social media complained about
which deserved more prodding. Raila and his utterances. Would that have
been the case had he not closed ranks with
Was the President tricked into authorising
the President?

Volume 8 Issue 12 9
 MEDIA REVIEW

Dicey balance between privacy and public interest

when covering big people
By Isaac Sagala

T
here was a very strange media of speculation about very private matters.
event in March 2009. In an unprec- Oh, there were the recent impeachments
edented move, former President of former Deputy President Riggy G and
Mwai Kibaki’s private life was subjected the very f resh one of Meru Governor
to glaring scrutiny, his domestic matters Kawira Mwangaza, with very sensational

"
were laid bare; voluntarily so. theories about the character of the
individual.
The President sensationally called a press
conference to declare that he only had Audiences want to know, they have this
PUBLIC one wife, Lucy. This was after being insatiable appetite – journalists want to

INTEREST goaded to respond to mounting specu-

l a t i o n a n d p rovo c a t i o n a b o u t h i s
break the glass ceiling with exclusives.
This may include the actual sickness
perceived dalliance with former Othaya someone is dealing with, clandestine
The media needs to
MP Mary Wambui. The lady claimed to be relationships and identities of family
be professional in
the former President’s second wife. members. Social media is abuzz and
unboxing the infor- hashtags trend with a spicing of memes,
mation necessary Perhaps as the President Kibaki felt the some hilariously ridiculous, others unnec-
for public interest. nation needed to know his marital status, essarily explicit. Blogs will run with
never mind if this had any impact in how ‘exclusives,’ oblivious of media ethics.
he performed his duties. Was this presser
necessary? The media needs to be professional in
unboxing the information necessary for
When very public f igures like Kenya’s public interest.
political class and entertainers experi-
ence life defining moments like illness, Journalists are tasked with unpacking
legal suits or even death, there is plenty this information and tinkering with the

10 Volume 8 Issue 12
 MEDIA REVIEW

PRIVACY
The dilemma is balanc-
ing the right of society
to know and the right to
individual privacy. The
journalist’s concern for
an individual battles
against their responsi-
bility to report matters
of public interest factu-
ally. The shift between
what is right or wrong
weighs heavily on the
conscience of a reporter.

thin line that is information for the public identity of their children, especially if their
against a backdrop what should be consid- inclusion thereof lacks relevance. There
ered private. should be clear boundaries between private
life and the work or positions people hold.
A journalist has the responsibility of inform-
ing society about the happenings around P u b l i c f i g u re s h ave c h o s e n to p u t
them so they can interpret the facts and themselves in the limelight. Journalists
make decisions about what to think, do or accept that it is their duty to examine and
say. probe the details about the lives of these
individuals, especially when the character
The dilemma is balancing the right of socie- of a person holding public office is essential
ty to know and the right to individual to their performing their tasks. At the same
privacy. The journalist’s concern for an time, the public has the right to know
individual battles against their responsibili- aspects of the public f igure’s character,
ty to report matters of public interest especially the weaknesses, if for instance
factually. The shift between what is right or they have a responsibility over public funds
wrong weighs heavily on the conscience of and resource allocation.
a reporter.
There is a clear line, though, dividing what
The justification for publishing or broad- the public has a right to know and individ-
casting information about private details of ual’s right to privacy, no matter how
a prominent individual in public interest interesting or sensational the allegations
can be justified, especially if they are public may be. Things done in the privacy of
figures. homes with no possible consequence on
issues of public interest, should remain
The challenge is more in the methods used
private. The media cannot claim a responsi-
to gather the story, especially if it is particu-
bility to report the same; this would amount
larly invasive for instance by exposing
to the invasion of privacy.
intimate details of their private lives like the

Volume 8 Issue 12 11
MEDIA REVIEW

Dear press, rise above the glitter of sensational

headlines
By Dex Mumo

J
ournalism in Kenya is currently on edge; from media. What should have this media giant done
left to right, the media is making waves. But instead? It’s simple; the media giant should have
what is all the fuss about? This is what journal- told the readers why the “impunity” occurred, who
ism should be working on: Giving reasons why and how they were affected, or what the security
everything is happening in that fashion. Here's the system was doing to ensure justice was served.
downer, though: there is too much emphasis on
The Standard (Figure 2), followed suit on Sunday,
reporting the events rather than seeking the core.
March 16, 2025 with the headline, “Greedy watch-
There is no doubt that the country is experiencing dog.” Another intriguing one, no? The media house
intense political fever, but the press should not proceeded to elaborate, “President William Ruto’s
respond to this by simply following the lead. What regime has been tested and found wanting. Opposi-
the media should be doing, instead, is to uncover tion leader Raila Odinga has identified a gap that he
why a particular politician is acting in a certain way has fully exploited. Raila is deeply entrenched in
or holding the politician accountable. That’s how government, but in Parliament, his allies control
journalism should be felt within politics. critical oversight committees as he seeks to expand
his Cabinet portfolio.”
Let’s do a quick case study:
Once again, this is information Kenyans and the
Looking into Daily Nation’s headline on Thursday,
global community already know. Social media
March 13, 2025 (Figure 1), there's no doubt the
already broke this news. It was the Standard’s
headline is charming. It reads “Impunity,” under-
responsibility to inform us about what we don’t
scored in a bolded and magnified font. How could
know regarding Raila's involvement in the Kenya
you resist the urge and curiosity to know more
Kwanza government and how this status quo affects
about this impunity? Right? Now, on to the pursu-
or impacts the lives of its readers.
ance of the substance, Daily Nation wrote, “The
routes taken by the President’s convoy are usually The mainstream media has set a path that other
among the best guarded. But for three consecutive media houses feel obliged to follow, however flawed
days, a group of criminals created a gangsters’ the path may appear. That is why the watchdog
paradise, marring President William Ruto’s city tour needs to have a watchdog. It is time for the media
by robbing and assaulting civilians.” to free itself from the chains of “he said, she said,
they added…” kind of journalism and unaccountable
This information was already in the public domain
clickbait.
by the time Daily Nation was publishing this
e-paper. This is bound to the existence of social Peel back the layers and go beyond the surface.

12 Volume 8 Issue 12
 MEDIA REVIEW

Where is Governor Kihika? Why Nation story

needed crutches

T
he Daily Nation on March 20 ran a story that absence of Governor Susan Kihika”
ranked high in public interest: “Where is
Who were these youth? Where did they come from?
Governor Kihika? Nakuru residents petition
Who organised them?
county assembly”.
The story said the youth were led to the assembly by
The Nakuru governor had not been seen in public
Kimori Evans. Who is Evans?
for months. Indeed, the public had every right to
know where their elected leader was. A second photo showed a woman writing onto a
sheet of paper, a young man watching by her side.
But on a closer look, the story by Mercy Koskei failed
The caption said: “Alvy Aoko and Glen Shivachi sign
the credibility test.
the petition …”
The intro said that “residents of Nakuru County” had
Who are Aoko and Shivachi? Was it possible to get
given their county assembly an ultimatum to clarify
any reactions from members of the county assem-
who was running the county.
bly to the move to petition the assembly? And what
The story added that “the residents” presented a would be the next steps in the process? Just to give
“formal petition” to the assembly. the story some depth.

Who were the residents? Who initiated the petition? How did the Nation get wind of this story? Who
And who presented the petition to the Assembly. tipped off the writer about the imminent petition?

The story answered none of these questions. And By not answering these questions, how could the
veracity died. Did the Nation verify this petition? Nation know it didn’t walk into local political feuds
in Nakuru and become a sucker on one side?
Yes, the Nation published an illustrative photo of 15
young men in classic youth photoshoot poses. The So, a perfectly good public-interest story turned out
caption said: “Nakuru residents at the county with a limp. It needed crutches, props to keep it
assembly on March 20, 2025, where they f iled a standing on the high ground of credibility and the
petition demanding answers to the prolonged basics of journalism.

Volume 8 Issue 12 13
MEDIA REVIEW

Day nothing happened in Standard’s world - except

politics

T
he Sunday Standard on March 16 decided that nothing happened in the world, nothing
happened in our corner of the earth, except politics. Politics and lamentations.

That is what the paper suggested with its front page. Take a look:

Headline: “Greedy Watchdog”.

With a splash photo of Raila Odinga seemingly wagging a finger at the audience, the story piled up
on Odinga over his decision to work with President William Ruto. Ruto’s administration is weighed
down under one of the lowest public ratings in a generation. The Standard called out Odinga for
“fully exploiting the gap”. The paper wrote: “He is wielding more power than the inner sanctum of
State House and still masquerades as the opposition leader.”

Then, clockwise from top left corner, The Standard highlighted the following stories:

“Emanyulia chronicles”, by Barack Muluka:

“We are hearing that Odera and the man he called a thief are now bosom friends. Asked, Odera says
angrily, he did not go to the thief. The thief just called him.”

A cartoon above the story depicted Ruto wedding Odinga. Meanwhile, the opening sentence said:
“Let us take a holiday from politics. Let me tell you, instead, about recent happenings in Emanyulia.”
You could hang your hat on the irony.

14 Volume 8 Issue 12
 MEDIA REVIEW

“Transparency”, by Sheila Masinde

“When oversight is lacking, and corruption diverts resources meant for public use, these services
decline or fail to reach those who need them most.” This lamented about bad governance on the
ground.

“Broad-based union”, by Gitobu Imanyara

“Unlike legally recognised coalitions, this so-called broad-based government is an entity created
purely for political expediency.” It was a shot at Ruto’s Raila-assisted governing.

“Deception”, by Rev Edward Buri

“It is now very clear that the only constant in the equation of Kenya’s current crop of leading politi-
cians is staying in power. Anything else can shift.”

Quote, by Kipruto Kirwa

“Raila’s numbers are also diminishing because he may not bank on getting the same votes in
Western and Kisii, where new forceful political players who are not happy with the distribution of
positions and resources are emerging.”)

Quote, by Jermiah Kioni

“Even if you decide to abandon your colleagues, at least have the decency of informing them that
you are leaving. How can you join President Ruto when we moved all over the country campaigning
for you against him?”

The only outlier from politics was a single box on top right, which said, “Why Maths is part of every-
day life.”

The verdict? That Sunday Standard front page lacked balance.

Volume 8 Issue 12 15
EAC MEDIA REVIEW

Rwanda’s KT Press report on genocide memorials

was superb

R
wanda and the rest of the world are year earlier. The latter is to remember the
united today, April 7, in remembering fight of those who resisted their attackers
the more than one million of its for more than two months before being
citizens who were killed by armed militias. killed.

Between April and July 1994, the armed The four memorial sites represent more
militias called Interahamwe – within 100 than 200 places of worship, public and
days - not only targeted the Tutsi. They also places of resistance where massacres were
executed moderate Hutu and Twa people. committed. The government uses them to
The victims of the genocide are commem- encourage public reflection and reconcilia-
orated in four memorial sites, namely tion, and also promote a culture of peace,
Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero. tolerance and dialogue.
According to Unesco’s World Heritage
The United Nations Education Social ,
Convention, two of the sites were scenes of
Scientif ic and Cultural Organization
massacres: a Catholic church built on
(Unesco) succinctly sums up the cause of
Nyamata Hill in 1980, and a technical school
the killings, thus: “Although the origins of
constructed on Murambi Hill in 1990.
the genocide can be traced back to ethnic
Gisozi Hill in Kigali City hosts the Kigali differences which the colonial powers
Genocide Memorial built in 1999, where framed as political identities, the event has
more than 250,000 victims were buried, acquired universal significance because of
while another memorial was constructed its sudden intensity – the number of people
on Bisesero Hill in the Western Province a killed in a relatively short space of time –

16 Volume 8 Issue 12
 EAC MEDIA REVIEW

Rwanda. Opinions are divided, but are

converged on the need to consult widely as
not to injure the emotions of the survivors
and relatives of the victims. On Thursday,
April 3, the Minister for National Unity and
Civic Engagement, Jean-Damascène
Bizimana, seemed to have alluded to the
debate.

KT Press Rwanda covered Dr Bizimana’s

presser at which the minister was reported
as saying that human remains displayed in
genocide memorial sites across the country
will have to be buried because they were
decomposing. The report was titled,
‘Rwanda’s Genocide Memorials at a Cross-
roads: To Preserve or to Bury?’
and the way it was carried out – the
premeditated and organised extermination Reporter Stephen Kamanzi, in the publica-
of civilians by their neighbours, family tion’s edition of April 4, 2025 quickly put the
members and militias.” minister’s statement in its correct context,
saying it responded to years of debate as to
For that, in 2003, the United Nations Gener- what is the best way to honour the victims
a l A s s e m b l y d e s i g n a te d 7 A p r i l a s of the 1994 genocide while balancing
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 historical preservation, survivor needs and
Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, in a ethical concerns.
bid to encourage a commitment to the
fight against genocide worldwide. “The remains of the genocide victims in
memorial sites will eventually have to be
Rwanda’s Ministry of National Unity and buried because they are disintegrating;
Civic Engagement (MINIBUMWE) is respon- they cannot last for a thousand years … We
sible for the management of the memorial have reached the stage of discussing this
sites of the genocide, including preserving with families of the victims to ensure that
them using the human, f inancial and the process does not cause them distress.
material resources provided by the govern- Once the remains are buried, people can
ment. The integrity of the sites, notes find peace, and recordings—both video and
Unesco, lies in their completeness and audio—will be made to preserve the histor-
intactness. But there is a problem. “The ical memory”, minister Bizimana was
integrity of the main building of the former quoted as saying.
church in Nyamata, preserved in the state it
was in [sic] immediately after the massacre, This was a sensitive story, and the reporter
is at risk from natural deterioration … The did justice to it by addressing most of its
integrity of the collections of movable herit- impor tant aspects, reflective of the
age and of the evidence of the genocide questions likely to have come f rom the
preserved in the buildings within the readers. He, literally, toured the globe for
component parts – such as the mummified similar case studies.
bodies, skulls and personal effects of the
For example, he acknowledged that
victims – are highly vulnerable to environ-
Rwanda had preserved thousands of
mental factors.”
remains in memorial sites as part of its
Debate on what form the continued efforts to document the atrocities and
remembrance of the genocide victims educate future generations. He then put in
should take has been simmering in a rider that scientific and ethical challenges

Volume 8 Issue 12 17
EAC MEDIA REVIEW

sites and burying them: Displaying remains

can be distressing for some survivors;
burying remains can provide psychological
relief and restore dignity to the deceased;
and that memorialisation must be handled
sensitively as survivors have different
opinions.

Minister Bizimana, the story said, empha-

sised that the government will consult
survivors and families before making final
decisions. Any burial of remains will be
documented through video and audio
recordings to ensure historical preservation.

“While some advocate for continued display

to educate future generations, others
believe that after 30 years, it may be time
for the remains to be respectfully buried.”
That was reporter Kamanzi’s necessary
personal view that cut in the middle of the
different opinions.

What strategy did he propose? “Communi-

have emerged regarding the long-term
ty-based healing approaches such as
preservation of human remains. He gave
sociotherapy have been used in Rwanda to
“precedents” where remains of genocide or
help survivors process their grief and make
mass atrocity were initially displayed and
collective decisions about memorialisation.
later buried.
These dialogues could play a key role in
Kamanzi offered: “Following the Holocaust, ensuring that any decisions regarding the
some exhumed remains were examined burial of remains are inclusive and sensitive
and later reburied, particularly in locations to survivor needs.”
like Germany and Poland. In Cambodia,
However, the reporter forgot to remind
where the Khmer Rouge regime left behind
readers that the four memorial sites are
numerous mass graves, some remains were
protected by Law No.28/2016 of 22/7/2016 on
put on display at memorials such as the
the preservation of cultural heritage and
Killing Fields. Discussions have since
traditional knowledge, as well as by Minis-
emerged about whether these remains
terial Order No.001/MINUBUMWE/24 of
should eventually be buried as they natural-
8/2/2024 on the classification of tangible
ly decay.
cultural heritage and the terms for its use
“In Bosnia, after the 1995 Srebrenica and income generation.
genocide, efforts focused on exhuming
Lesson learnt? That in a matter that is
mass graves for forensic identif ication.
deeply emotional and historical as the
Once identified, remains were reburied in
memorialisation of the genocide victims,
dignified cemeteries, bringing closure to
both the journalist and the respective publi-
families.”
cation must be aware of the realities and
Reporter Kamanzi delved into scientif ic sensibilities on all aspects of the story to
studies to address the psychological impact ‘educate’ consumers appropriately.
of both preserving remains in memorial

18 Volume 8 Issue 12
 MEDIA REVIEW

Media’s big role to

spur up e-waste
management efforts

W
ith Kenya generating over tary John Tanui, Mr Kabogo stated the
50,000 tonnes of e-waste need for a robust regulatory framework
yearly, there have been calls to to handle the increasing volume of
have systems in place to manage it and discarded electronic devices.
protect the people and environment
According to the Standard the CS noted

"
from its hazardous effects.
the expanding digital society and
Media, which relies heavily on electrical increased use of electronic devices, thus
and electronic gadgets to communicate, raising the risk of e-waste and ICT-related
should actively champion proper e-waste carbon unless governments, regulators,
As part of management, as a moral and social industry players, and consumers take
problem-solvers, responsibility to people's wellbeing and concerted action now.
media should the environment.
The conference themed, ‘Advancing
accelerate its The East Af rican communicators and Sustainable E-waste Management in East
gear and focus in technologists held the 7th Regional Africa: The Impact of Extended Producer
Awareness Conference on Sustainable Responsibility”, sought to create effective
covering e-waste,
E-Waste Management in East Af rica, awareness of e-waste issues.
along with from March 24 to 26, to discuss actualis-
organic and With Global E-waste Monitor 2024,
ation of the regional e-waste strategy,
revealing, a record 62 billion kilograms of
non-organic including e-waste best practices, and
e-waste were generated globally in 2022,
types, to avert a tackling challenges.
outpacing formal collection and
health and "We must think broadly about effective recycling efforts, media has its job cut
environmental e-waste management as a policy imper- out in numerous ways, not just limited to
ative. Creating sound policy frameworks events coverage, but practically being
crisis in future.
will help improve our approach to this involved in programmes' support to
crisis,” the Standard quoted ICT Cabinet reduce the accumulation of e-waste.
Secretary William Kabogo as saying, in a
It has been three years since Parliament
story titled, 'State raises alarm over
established the Sustainable Waste
growing threat of e-waste, urges concert-
Management Act 2022, with recommen-
ed efforts by all'.
dations such as setting up National
In a speech read by the Principal Secre- Environment Complaints Committee,

Volume 8 Issue 12 19
MEDIA REVIEW

becoming a dumping ground for outdated

and low-quality electronic devices, and
regulators should step up measures to
prevent this.

The chairperson of the Communications

Authority of Kenya (CA) Mary Mungai told
the meeting, ICT sector is one of the main
generators of e-waste in the country.

A Nation story titled, 'Electronic waste a

threat to health and the environment,'
published on January 22, 2018 and updated
on July 5 2020, states: "Many electronic
and material recovery facility that will
gadgets including cell phones, computers,
separate and prepare recyclable materials
televisions, HiFi systems, refrigerators, and
for end users' manufacturers.
a host of other electrical and electronic
Most importantly, the law empowers appliances, are manufactured using a varie-
county governments to develop own waste ty of harmful substances such as lead,
management systems, including e-waste, hexavalent chromium, phthalates and
as part of their responsibility to guarantee a brominated flame retardants.
clean and conducive environment for
The story explained that hexavalent chromi-
people and business.
um is known to cause cancer, affect
The media should check how counties are respiratory system, kidneys, liver, skin and
faring on e-waste and organic sorting and eyes, while phthalates, applied as industrial
recycling. chemicals, can damage the liver, kidneys,
lungs and reproductive system.
Nevertheless, Kenya generally is only
scratching the surface in dealing with Lead affects the liver, kidneys, reproductive
various hazardous components of e-waste. system, the nervous system, and also
Not just Kenya but also other East Africa causes brain damage.
Community member states, and Africa at
Details from the story showed that in 2009,
large.
the Kenyan government put a 25 per cent
The Standard reported from the e-waste excise duty on all imported refurbished
conference that Africa remains particularly computers, and zero-rated new computers
vulnerable, with less than one per cent of to curb possible dumping of second-hand
e-waste being formally collected and ones. But there hasn't been signif icant
recycled. outcome in controlling e-waste menace.

With Af rica emerging as one of the As part of problem-solvers, media should

fastest-growing markets for mobile phones accelerate its gear and focus in covering
and other electronic devices, further exacer- e-waste, along with organic and non-organ-
bating the e-waste challenge, the CS ic types, to avert a health and
highlighted the continent is at risk of environmental crisis in future.

" The law empowers county governments to develop own waste management systems, including
e-waste, as part of their responsibility to guarantee a clean and conducive environment for
people and business.

The media should check how counties are faring on e-waste and organic sorting and recycling.

20 Volume 8 Issue 12
 MEDIA REVIEW

Mental health crisis in journalism and why media

houses must take action

K
enyan journalists continue to grapple with revealed how covering the Covid-19 pandemic took
mental health challenges, issues that will a mental toll leading to a diagnosis of post-traumat-
persist unless media houses and industry ic stress disorder, anxiety, bipolar and insomnia.
stakeholders prioritise their wellbeing.
In her account, she even contemplated suicide at
The recent viral video of former Citizen TV journalist one point, a chilling testament to the emotional
Kimani Mbugua once again serves as a sobering burden of journalism. However, her life took on a
reminder that mental challenges are unlike any different trajectory when she went public with her
other illness. As journalist Verah Okeyo noted in the diagnosis while also facing eviction. Though she
NTV Kenya feature Behind The Byline, managing a sought financial assistance from well-wishers, she
disorder requires years of counseling and medica- was taken to a rehabilitation facility where she
tion to learn how to live with the disease. received mental health care, eventually securing a
job at Mediamax.
U n f o r t u n a te l y, s t i g m a a n d s h a m e w i t h i n
newsrooms makes it difficult for one to seek help or Nasibo Kabale, a journalist who received State
normalise conversations about mental health. commendation for her coverage of the Covid-19
Callous remarks like “wewe tutafika na wewe June pandemic, was not as fortunate. She ended up living
kweli? Amaa tuanze kuchanga?” expose deep-seat- in the streets due to severe depression. As of six
ed prejudices against those living with psychiatric months ago, Kabale –– a trained lawyer turned
disorders, Okeyo adds. journalist –– was part of the same rehabilitation
programme that Omollo and Mbugua had been
Another harmful misconception in newsrooms is
admitted to.
the belief that ‘journalists of today are not as tough
as their predecessors’ and that they should learn When Mbugua was spotted roaming the streets of
‘kukaa ngumu’. Yet this very mindset fuels the Nairobi last week, former Nairobi Governor Mike
mental health crisis within the industry. Eunice Sonko, who had helped facilitate treatment for the
Omollo, an award-winning health reporter, is one of journalists, asked a pertinent question when he was
the affected journalists who previously openly accused of abandoning him: “Most of the cases
shared her experience in the newsroom. She involve people from the media fraternity. What role

Volume 8 Issue 12 21
MEDIA REVIEW

non Among Journalists in East Af rica’,

Radoli emphasises that journalists
f requently exposed to traumatic events
require access to counseling services and
stress management training to mitigate the
adverse effects of their work environment.
Internationally, some media organisations
are taking steps to address this issue.

In 2023, the BBC offered extra mental

health support for its journalists who were
facing attacks over coverage of the
Israel-Hamas war. This was in addition to
the routine support available for those
covering distressing stories. “I know from
my experience working on upsetting,
running news stories over the years that
you can be doing fine, but sometimes that
can change, and you need a bit more help
or to talk things through. So, in addition to
the staff sessions and resources already
available, our safety and mental health
specialists are offering more targeted
support where needed,” BBC News chief
operating officer Sam Taylor told staff in an
email as was reported in The Guardian,
which also had a similar intervention for its
journalists after the 2024 US election.

The Media Council of Kenya and the Associ-

ation of Media Women in Kenya are among
industry stakeholders who recognize the
are you, as friends, playing after we have importance of psychosocial support for
done our part?” journalists. They provide continuous train-
ing on coping mechanisms, stress
These cases highlight a critical need for management, and ensuring access to
comprehensive support systems within the counseling services.
media fraternity, something that Dr Lydia
Radoli has researched extensively. However, media houses must take the lead
in prioritising journalists’ mental health by
A lecturer at Daystar University and a ensuring access to mental health services
former journalist, Dr Radoli advocates for and allowing time for recovery. Without
the integration of mental health awareness meaningful intervention, the silent crisis
into journalism education and the estab- among Kenyan journalists will only deepen.
lishment of robust policies that address the
psychological well-being of media practi-
tioners. Her study ‘Courting Trauma: An
Unspoken Mental Health Crisis Among
Journalists in East Africa’ provides insights Stigma and shame within newsrooms
into the mental health challenges within makes it difficult for one to seek help or
newsrooms. normalise conversations about mental
health.
In another study titled ‘If It Bleeds It Leads:
The Visual Witnessing Trauma Phenome-

22 Volume 8 Issue 12
 TREND ANALYSIS

President Ruto’s Mt Kenya tour dominates online

debates
Introduction

The report highlights the trending topics monitored on social media platforms X, Facebook, and TikTok.
During the monitoring period, President William Ruto’s five-day tour of the Mt Kenya region shaped the
trending hashtags, including the President’s interview with vernacular stations where he mounted grievous
allegations against his former Deputy President, Kenyans’ reaction to the Inspector General of Police address-
ing a political rally, and the heckling of political leaders in certain regions during the tour.

from him. According to Ruto, this sum was a condi-

tion for Gachagua to “talk to the people” of Mount
Kenya and ensure Ruto’s second term, with the
former DP allegedly threatening to make him a
one-term president if the demand was not met.
Ruto further accused Gachagua of failing to defend
the government’s agenda and engaging in petty
conflicts with MPs and officials, which strained their
working relationship.

The hashtag #Gachagua on Facebook saw netizens

discuss especially the political dynamics of the inter-
view and the President’s tour of the Mt Kenya
region. Over 28K netizens engaged in the discus-
sions. A closer look at mainstream media pages
indicated that NTV Kenya attracted more than 42K
reactions within 20 hours of posting while Citizen
TV attracted 10K reactions.

Impact on media
1. Gachagua’s adventures
The clash between former Deputy President Rigathi
Against the backdrop of President William Ruto’s
Gachagua and President William Ruto significantly
five-day tour of the Mt Kenya region, former Deputy
influenced online conversations. Gachagua’s fiery
President Rigathi Gachagua was a trending topic,
rally and Ruto’s Sh10 billion corruption claim drew
notably on Facebook. On March 31, a day before the
massive attention on social media, especially
President’s visit, the former DP held a roadside rally
Facebook, polarising public opinion. Mainstream
in Wangige, Kiambu County, where he urged Mount
outlets like Nation and The Star offered detailed
Kenya residents to demand honesty f rom Ruto
coverage, while vernacular stations, encouraged by
during his tour, accusing the President of planning
Ruto’s media engagement, fueled regional senti-
to take credit for projects initiated by former Presi-
ments. The incident underscored the media’s
dent Uhuru Kenyatta. Gachagua also took a
growing influence in shaping political discourse and
provocative stance, warning residents against
mobilising public opinion in Kenya.
accepting what he called “cursed money” f rom
Ruto’s camp.
2. Kanja’s politics
The former DP also made headlines after President
Ruto mounted bombshell allegations against him On TikTok, the appearance of Inspector General of
during an interview with vernacular stations at the Police Douglas Kanja at a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri
Sagana State Lodge on March 31. The President County, on April 2, 2025, during President William
claimed that Gachagua had demanded Sh10 billion Ruto’s Mount Kenya tour, sparked signif icant
controversy and became a trending topic. The video,

Volume 8 Issue 12 23
 TREND ANALYSIS

racked up thousands of posts, blending outrage,

memes, and skits, amplifying public discussions on
police neutrality. Mainstream outlets like The Stand-
ard and Citizen Digital provided factual updates,
while TikTok became the epicentre of raw reaction,
with users stitching LSK’s condemnation and NPS’s
“AI-generated” defence into a mix of satire and
serious critique, driving hashtags like #KanjaMust-
Go.

3. Nyandarua heckling

The heckling of Kikuyu Member of Parliament and

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani
Ichung’wah in Nyandarua County on April 3, 2025,
which depicted the IG addressing Nyeri residents during President William Ruto’s Mount Kenya tour
after he was introduced on stage by the Deputy became a trending topic on X and Facebook under
President, Prof Kithure Kindiki, gained traction, with the hashtag #Nyandarua, igniting a storm of
more than 95K reach and engagement as netizens intrigue and online buzz. The incident occurred in
condemned him for going against the law to attend Ol Kalou, where Ichung’wah, a staunch Ruto ally,
such events. In the widely circulated videos, the IG attempted to speak about affordable housing
is seen on stage in full police regalia, and in Kikuyu projects during the launch of the last-mile electrici-
language, addressing residents, “Are you happy to ty connectivity initiative. As he took the stage, the
see our President here? Are you grateful? Do you crowd erupted in jeers, whistles, and vuvuzela blasts,
want him to come back again?” drowning out his voice and forcing him to cut his
speech short. Videos of the chaotic scene went viral,
On April 3, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) demand- showing Ichung’wah defiantly declaring, “I am not
ed the IG’s apology or resignation, noting that the someone to be shouted down,” before sarcastically
Inspector-General had a constitutional obligation to thanking the hostile audience.
serve all Kenyans impartially, regardless of political
aff iliation. The statements by the LSK president On X, the intrigues unfolded through a mix of analy-
Faith Odhiambo added to the already trending sis, humour, and political jabs, with notable leaders
hashtag, prompting over 2K reactions. The National including Nyandarua’s Senator John Methu,
Police Service on the same day, issued a response to commenting via his X page that “The Sh2000 we
the matter, claiming Kanja’s presence was purely for received as Nyandarua residents was for listening to
security oversight, not political engagement, citing Ruto only. Other politicians should have paid
his duties under the National Police Service Act. separately.” The hashtag trended at position 2,
Additionally, allegations that NPS termed the video amassing over 28K tweets after trending for five
AI generated also circulated, adding fuel to the fire consecutive hours.
and prompting a wave of memes and AI-themed
Facebook, meanwhile, became a battleground for
edits under #KanjaAI.
longer-form reactions and community sentiment.
Impact on media Pages like The Standard and Kenyans.co.ke shared
footage of the heckling, sparking heated comment
The appearance of Inspector General of Police
threads. The heckling of other figures like Laikipia
Douglas Kanja at a political rally in Nyeri on April 2,
East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri and Nyandarua Woman
2025, during President Ruto’s Mount Kenya tour,
Representative Faith Gitau at the same event
triggered a seismic impact on media, particularly on
further fueled the hashtag’s momentum. More than
TikTok, where hashtags like #DouglasKanja and
11K people discussed the news item, while scrutiny
#NyeriRally exploded into a trending phenomenon.
on leading pages such as Kenyans indicated that
Kanja’s speech, delivered in Kikuyu and perceived as
within 5 hours of posting, the news item had
politically charged, was captured in viral videos that
attracted 3.3K interactions.

24 Volume 8 Issue 12
 PEN COP

How to write fresh, attractive headlines

M
igaa: An accident back spot that Odhiambo (Standard, March 20, p.4). Next:
continues to claim lives (Nation, Elizabeth Ouma, Odhiambo’s mother…Nah,
March 20, p.24). A black spot is a why repeat? Intro already says she is the
point or stretch of road where fatal mother.
accidents are common (because racists
misled us that “black” symbolises death or
At least 1,000 Kenyans are behind bars in
anything negative). So, telling readers that
various countries over different offences, it
a black spot “continues to claim lives” is like
has emerged (Standard, March 20, p.9).
reporting about a church where believers
Again, “it has emerged” has zero commu-
continue to attend prayers. Or a school
nicative value. Avoid.
where children continue to learn. Or a
hospital that continues to treat patients, awi
tugeza? How to write a f resh, attractive How WhatsApp group text saved family
headline is a great skill. from jaws of robbery (Nation, March 20, p.3).
“Jaws” in this imagery references danger-
ous wild animals that use their teeth to
Ruto sent a police team to Haiti despite a
maul their victims. So, this family was saved
spirited fight pulled by rights groups and
f rom jaws of robbers, not “robbery”, you
an order by the courts that they could not
get?
be deployed for security operations outside
Kenya (Standard, March 20, p.2). Ati a spirit-
ed fight pulled by rights groups? Fights or Th e United States governm ent h as
battles are waged or fought, not “pulled”. cautioned that unregulated trade between
Kenya and Somalia facilitates money
laundering by criminals (Nation, March 20,
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba
p.8). Facilitates money laundering, full stop.
Murkomen was yesterday forced to cut
“By criminals” is unnecessary because
short his speech after an interruption by
money laundering is a crime. It’s like saying
the mother of missing f isherman Brian
the song was sung by the singers.

Volume 8 Issue 12 25
VIEWPOINT

T he media serves as a crucial link between the public and those in

power, ensuring accountability is maintained. For this to be
effective, it requires a united effort from all stakeholders, including law
enforcement, policymakers, and the media itself. By fostering such
collaborations, we can help uncover corruption, safeguard the public
interest and ensure our governance systems operate with integrity.

DAVID OMWOYO, MBS,

CEO, Media Council of Kenya.

26 Volume 8 Issue 12
 MEDIA REVIEWS

The Media Observer

is published weekly by
the Media Council of Kenya.
Media Council of Kenya
P.O. Box 43132 – 00100
Nairobi, Kenya

Chief Executive Officer

David Omwoyo Omwoyo

Director, Media Training

and Development
Victor Bwire

Project Team Leader/Sub-Editor

Dinnah Ondari

Media Monitoring
Mutisya Leo
Jacob Nyongesa
Eric Ndung’u
Lucy Mwangi
Ben Serem
Arthur Mbullo

Corporate Communications
& Public Affairs
Jerry Abuga
Lorine Achieng’
Careen Mang’eni
Benjamin Mati
Devina Akinyi

Tel: (+254 20) 2737058, 2725032

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@MediaObserverKE

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Volume 2 issue 28 11