Katiba Institute partnered with the Media Council of Kenya to host the commemoration of this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists (IDEI) on 3 November 2025 in Nakuru, reaffirming its commitment to protecting journalists and promoting open and accountable governance. 

Speaking during the commemoration, Christine Kuria, Deputy Executive Director of Katiba Institute, underscored the importance of partnerships in advancing media freedom and constitutional values. 

“We are pleased, once again, to co-host this important commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, together with the Media Council of Kenya. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to protecting journalists, defending media freedom, and promoting constitutional values that underpin open and accountable governance,” she stated. 

Christine reflected on this year’s theme, “Chat GBV: Raising Awareness on AI-facilitated Gender-Based Violence Against Women Journalists,” as a timely reminder of the dual nature of technology—its potential to enhance access to information and its misuse to silence voices, particularly those of women journalists. 

AI-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: A Constitutional Concern 

She emphasised that technology-facilitated gender-based violence is not only a digital concern but also a constitutional issue, infringing on the rights to equality, dignity, and freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution. Through its Human Rights in a Digital World initiative, Katiba Institute continues to promote responsible and rights-based use of technology, advocate against impunity for crimes targeting journalists, and advance ethical innovation that aligns with constitutional and human rights standards. 

Government’s Commitment to Journalist Safety 

During the event, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunication, Mr Stephen Isaboke, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of journalists and protecting media freedom. 

“The Government of Kenya remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a safe and conducive environment for media freedom and responsible journalism. The physical and digital safety of journalists is essential to ensure citizens’ access to credible information,” 
said Mr. Isaboke, in remarks delivered on his behalf by Mr. Temesi Mukani, Secretary for Information and Broadcasting. 

He observed that addressing impunity requires collective action and accountability through the investigation and prosecution of crimes against journalists. 

Media Freedom and Accountability 

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Omwoyo, highlighted an overview of press freedom in Kenya, noting that while reported attacks on journalists had declined from 130 in 2024 to 92 in 2025, impunity remains widespread. He described IDEI as “a day of protest rather than celebration,” and highlighted Kenya’s decline in the Reporters Without Borders Global Press Freedom Index from 69th in 2022 to 117th in 2025, calling for stronger prosecution and enhanced digital safety frameworks. 

Calls for Accountability and Reform 

While contributing to the panel on “Crimes Against Journalists: Answering the Hard Questions and Finding Solutions,” Patriciah Joseph, Programmes Manager at Katiba Institute, challenged state actors on non-compliance with constitutional provisions and inaction. She noted that despite constitutional progress in guaranteeing media and expression rights, the introduction of regressive laws continues to erode these gains. 

In a separate discussion on “Gendered Disinformation: Whither Media Freedom?” Kevin Mabonga, Communications and Public Liaison Manager at Katiba Institute, highlighted the relevance of Articles 27, 28, and 29 of the Constitution in safeguarding equality, dignity, and security of the person—particularly for women journalists facing AI-facilitated gender-based violence. He called for greater public awareness and stronger platform accountability to ensure that digital spaces remain open, safe, and inclusive. 

Call for Collective Resolve 

Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) President, Ms Zubeida Kananu, reiterated the call for justice, referencing the unresolved case of a female journalist shot in Nakuru last year. 

“We are not here merely to mark a date but to renew our collective resolve,” 
She said in a statement read by Mr Martin Maasai, KEG Trustee and Chair of the Ethics and Media Freedom Committee. 

Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Secretary General, Mr Eric Oduor, echoed the need for sustained advocacy and stronger protection mechanisms to ensure journalists can operate safely and fulfil their public interest role. 

Turning Awareness into Action 

The commemoration concluded with a shared pledge to translate awareness into concrete action—by strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing digital safety, promoting ethical use of technology, and ensuring accountability for crimes against journalists.