Media Council of Kenya Warns Against Turning Newsrooms into Political Refuges

Media Council of Kenya Warns Against Turning Newsrooms into Political Refuges

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has cautioned political leaders against using media houses as places of refuge to evade law enforcement, stressing that newsrooms are independent institutions dedicated to journalism and not sanctuaries from legal processes.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, August 6, 2026, MCK said the warning follows recent events in which a politician sought shelter inside a media establishment to avoid legal action. The Council emphasized that such incidents threaten the independence of the media and undermine public confidence in journalism.

As Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, MCK outlined four key principles aimed at safeguarding press freedom and protecting media institutions from political disputes.

First, the Council reaffirmed the sanctity of the press, saying media houses must remain safe, neutral spaces devoted solely to journalism.

Secondly, it stated that newsrooms are not asylum centres, insisting that public figures should leave media premises immediately after completing their interviews or engagements.

MCK also warned against creating a perception of complicity, noting that turning newsrooms into tactical hideouts places unnecessary operational pressure on media organizations and could wrongly portray journalists as participants in political or legal disputes.

The Council further stressed the importance of respect for the rule of law, maintaining that while it strongly defends freedom of expression and media freedom, politicians must answer to law enforcement authorities outside media premises.

The Media Council of Kenya urged all political actors to respect the physical and professional boundaries of media institutions in order to protect editorial independence, press freedom, and democratic discourse ahead of the 2027 General Election.