Media Stakeholders Allege Plot to Shut Down the Internet Ahead of Monday Protests

The Kenya Media Sector Working Group claims the government plans to shut down the broadcast media and the internet ahead of the opposition-led protests on Monday.

In a press briefing on Sunday, Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) president Churchill Otieno said they received reports of the alleged plot to plunge the nation into "information darkness".

"We have received reports of plans to shut down the broadcast media and the internet and throw the country into information darkness ahead of tomorrow's demonstrations,” Otieno said on behalf of the group.

"This will be the most ill-advised assault on Kenyan democracy because it denies the public their right to information.”

Otieno stated that the media has a constitutional mandate to inform the public and barring them from administering their role amounts to breaching the law.

He further raised concerns over attacks on media personnel covering the protests, stating that over 20 journalists have been injured since the start of the protests on March 20th. 

"…we note with concern the wave of attacks both online and offline meted against media workers in their line of duty. While the safety of journalists should be guaranteed the Kenya media sector working group notes with alarm the increasing number of journalists targeted by law enforcement officers,” he added.

Otieno demanded that the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Inspector General of the Police and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority ensure accountability for all threats and violence against journalists through thorough, effective and independent investigations.

"We call upon them to call to book the perpetrators while ensuring access to effective remedies and compensations to the victims,” he said.

The Kenya Media Sector Working Group comprises journalists and stakeholders from 17 bodies representing scribes in print, broadcast, and digital media in Kenya.