MCK raises alarm over rising attacks on journalists ahead of 2027 polls

Press freedom violations are actions that obstruct, punish or endanger journalists because of their work. In this report, they include physical attacks, arrests, threats, intimidation, harassment, abduction and surveillance. Recording these categories shows the many ways journalists can be prevented from reporting safely.

The clearest example is assault. Of the 47 cases documented between July and September 2026, 34 involved assaults. The report also recorded five threats, two arrests and two intimidation cases. Abduction, harassment and surveillance each accounted for one case. These incidents can cause injury, detention, fear or pressure that limits reporting.

The range of violations matters because danger is not limited to one type of attack. Journalists may face violence in the field, legal pressure, direct threats or monitoring. The MCK says such cases are rising ahead of the 2027 election, making accurate reporting and evidence collection important for accountability.

The Media Council of Kenya documented 47 violations against journalists between July and September 2026. The cases involved assaults, arrests, threats, intimidation and other abuses. This number measures reported incidents during a three-month period and signals a sharp deterioration in the documented safety environment for journalists.

The increase is substantial. The same period produced 17 documented cases in 2025 and 24 in 2024. The 2026 total was therefore 30 cases higher than 2025 and 23 higher than 2024. The figures come from the MCK’s Press Freedom Violations Situation Report.

The report also warns that the true scale may be difficult to establish. Inadequate documentation and victims’ reluctance to pursue legal action hamper accountability. Even so, the recorded rise has prompted concern as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, when journalists may face heightened risks.

On July 16, 2026, journalists covering the parliamentary by-election in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County, came under a serious attack. Armed, masked men in SUVs and civilian clothing violently assaulted them, beat them and stole their belongings. The incident illustrates the physical danger journalists can face while covering elections.

The response raised questions about whether a visible police presence guarantees protection. KNCHR assistant director Lucas Kimanthi said about 30 police officers were present at the school during the first attack, yet none responded. This example shows the gap between deploying security officers and ensuring that they intervene when violence begins.

Ol Kalou was part of the wider concern surrounding rising violations ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election. The incident also underlines why journalists need immediate protection, reliable evidence and effective investigations. The MCK and KNCHR stressed documentation and accountability, while other groups offer emergency assistance.

The 2027 General Election may increase risks because election periods can create a more dangerous environment for journalists. The article reports that assaults, beatings and internet shutdowns are increasingly affecting journalists in East Africa, particularly during elections. Journalists working at rallies, polling events or political contests may therefore face heightened threats.

The Ol Kalou by-election provides a concrete warning. On July 16, 2026, armed, masked men attacked, beat and robbed journalists covering the contest. Muthoki Mumo of CPJ said similar forces and factions operating in Tanzania and Uganda were also operating in Kenya. Her warning encourages stakeholders to anticipate threats rather than respond only after attacks.

The documented cases already show the concern is current. MCK recorded 47 violations from July to September 2026, compared with 17 in 2025. The article points to the need for protection, evidence preservation and preparations before the 2027 polls.

Police Occurrence Book numbers and hospital P3 forms help create an official record of an attack and its injuries. When journalists do not obtain them, investigators and prosecutors may have too little evidence to establish what happened. This weakens the path from a reported violation to a case that can be pursued.

MCK Manager Rebecca Mutiso said journalists often fail to get OB numbers from police or P3 forms from hospitals after attacks. She explained that without evidence, it becomes a major challenge to pick up a case. The missing records can make it harder to document injuries, identify offences and support prosecution.

The problem is part of a wider accountability gap. Victims may also avoid litigation because they fear employer interference or loss of advertising revenue. The MCK and KNCHR therefore stressed documentation and evidence preservation, especially as violations rise before the 2027 election.

Several organisations are responding to the documented violations. The Media Council of Kenya tracks cases and advocates for press freedom. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights stresses preserving evidence and strengthening accountability. The Committee to Protect Journalists warns about regional threats and urges stakeholders to prepare for election-related dangers.

Their roles differ. MCK helps document violations and highlights missing police or medical records. KNCHR examines whether security responses protect journalists. CPJ provides regional warnings about assaults, beatings and internet shutdowns. These efforts help make abuses visible and encourage stronger responses, although the article does not describe a single joint programme.

Defenders Coalition provides more direct emergency support. Its services include bail and bond assistance for journalists and other human rights defenders facing criminalisation over their work. It also offers emergency relocation within Kenya when working areas become hostile. The article says immediate protection is needed alongside legal redress.

A free and safe press matters because voters need reliable reporting to understand public issues, assess leaders and make informed choices. Journalists also help expose wrongdoing and document events during elections. If they are attacked, threatened or silenced, important information may not reach the public. This explanation draws on established democratic principles; the article focuses mainly on the dangers facing journalists.

The Ol Kalou attack shows the practical risk. Journalists covering a parliamentary by-election were beaten and robbed by armed, masked men. The MCK also documented 47 violations in three months, including 34 assaults. Such incidents can deter journalists from working in politically sensitive places and can leave abuses poorly recorded.

The concern is especially urgent before Kenya’s 2027 General Election. MCK, KNCHR and CPJ called attention to evidence, protection and regional threats. Defenders Coalition’s bail, bond and relocation services show that safety requires both accountability after attacks and immediate help during crises.