As of June 2024, the media in Kenya is reported to be reeling from a Ksh2.5 billion unpaid debt by the government
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Friday, November 29 offered Kenyan media houses hope going into the final month of 2024, revealing plans to settle debt in billions owed to them, in a bid to curb the financial struggles that the sector players have been undergoing for years.
As of June 2024, the media in Kenya is reported to be reeling from a Ksh2.5 billion unpaid debt by the government, owed by the national and county governments and dating back nine years, a matter which has forced media houses to resort to drastic measures, moreso laying off employees and imposing budget cuts.
Kindiki, who was the chief guest at the opening of the 7th Annual Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) Convention in Nakuru County, assured editors present that the government was mobilising plans to fully settle the debt owed to media houses.
DP Kithure Kindiki among attendees at the 7th Annual Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) Convention in Nakuru on November 29, 2024. /KITHURE KINDIKI
“Pending bills are a general challenge. The issue of pending bills is being discussed. I followed up before I came here. We will clear the portfolios of pending bills. We do not intend to see media paralyzed,” Kindiki assured, adding “I can commit that we plan to clear all we owe the media industry. We do not intend to see media paralysed.”
Kindiki further remarked that the government appreciated the role of media as the watchdog of the general society and will endeavour to support it as it carries out its functions fairly, objectively, and impartially.
In the spirit of plurality of opinion and thought, Kindiki however called on the media to candidly critique the government and its programmes, as well as cast a spotlight on various far-reaching reforms in healthcare, education, agriculture, trade and economy, that the Government is implementing to improve the quality of life for the people of Kenya.
“We remain ready and available for consultations and deliberations with media stakeholders to iron out any outstanding issues, develop policies on media and communication, and engage with relevant Government agencies on priority development programmes,” he added.
Various matters were deliberated during the Annual Convention, but financial issues dominated the agenda of the convention under the theme of Innovative storytelling for the public good: Building trust and driving change in the digital world.
Among those in attendance included Dr Margaret Ndung’u (Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy), Zubeida Kananu (President, Kenya Editors Guild), David Omwoyo (CEO, Media Council of Kenya), Churchill Otieno (President, African Forum of Editors), Eric Oduor (Secretary General, Kenya Union of Journalists), editors from various media houses and platforms, development partners and stakeholders.
Zubeida lamented that pay delays as well as a lack of insurance have left many journalists vulnerable, “with some experiencing mental health challenges and even contemplating extreme measures, including attempted suicides.”
“These challenges have led to layoffs, loss of talent and wage delays. Media houses are struggling to stay afloat, leaving those who remain overburdened and underpaid,” she expressed.
She called on the government to ensure justice and safety for journalists as well as withdraw restrictive advertising directives, support media sustainability, establish a national media centre, provide tax relief and strengthen regulatory bodies.
The convention came a day after more than 400 employees of Standard Group Limited appealed to members of the public to boycott all products of the media house, urging labour rights organizations, and stakeholders as well to join them in demanding accountability and corporate responsibility from their former employer.
The products of the Mombasa Road-based media house include The Standard newspaper, Standard Digital, The Nairobian, KTN, Radio Maisha and Spice FM. The more-than-a-century-old media giant has been accused of failing to pay redundancy dues and remit statutory contributions to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and staff SACCOs.
On November 21, auctioneers raided The Star newspaper godown located along Mombasa Road, with the landlord explaining that the newspaper publisher owed them rent arrears of up to Ksh4 million
In recent years, the government has been at loggerheads with mainstream media houses over billions reportedly owed to them by the state. Reports had previously claimed that the Nation Media Group is owed an excess of Ksh900 million for advertising services it rendered to the government.
An image of Kenyan journalists during a past assignment. /INTER PRESS SERVICE
