Kenya’s media freedom is facing increased strain, with the latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index showing a sharp deterioration in press freedom indicators.
- •According to the newly released ratings, Kenya’s Press Freedom Index score fell from 53.2 in 2024 to 49.4 in 2025, marking a notable drop on the 0-100 scale where higher values denote greater media freedom.
- •Kenya’s press freedom has been in steady decline for over a decade.
- •The country scored a high of 72.2 in 2013, but this has deteriorated consistently, especially in recent years:
The data underscores an alarming 22.8-point drop from 2013 to 2025, with the most pronounced decline occurring from 2022 onward.
The declining index reflects escalating restrictions in the Kenyan media environment. Over the past year, journalists have faced increasing harassment, arbitrary arrests, and growing censorship — especially during periods of political unrest. In mid-2025, Kenya witnessed live broadcast bans, especially during the Gen Z-led anti-government protests, setting a dangerous precedent for media operations in the country.
Reports by international watchdogs such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Freedom House corroborate these concerns. RSF’s 2025 Press Freedom Index similarly placed Kenya in the “problematic” category, flagging increased economic pressures and government intimidation as key risks to independent journalism.
Institutional Challenges and Civil Society Pushback
While the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) remains an active regulatory body championing professionalism and ethics in the media, it has struggled to shield journalists from systemic crackdowns.
Civil society groups, including ICJ Kenya, Article 19, and the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), have mounted legal challenges against broadcast restrictions and proposed social media surveillance laws, calling for the protection of digital rights and freedom of expression.
The death in police custody of activist blogger Albert Ojwang in 2025 intensified calls for accountability, leading to nationwide protests and further scrutiny on government actions against dissenting voices.
Kenya’s slipping press freedom ratings are raising red flags among governance analysts and development partners, particularly in light of the country’s ambitions to strengthen democratic governance under the Kenya Vision 2030 framework. Analysts warn that sustained media suppression risks undermining public trust, stifling civic engagement, and eroding Kenya’s democratic gains.
Despite these headwinds, Kenya’s media sector remains resilient, with independent investigative journalism platforms continuing to produce impactful reporting. Efforts by the MCK to foster dialogue with government stakeholders on media sustainability and professionalism offer a glimmer of hope.
