The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has warned politicians against using media houses as places of refuge when facing legal challenges, saying newsrooms must remain neutral spaces dedicated to journalism.
The Council said the warning follows recent incidents in which a politician sought refuge inside a media establishment while attempting to avoid law enforcement authorities.
MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo said media houses should not be treated as sanctuaries by public figures facing legal processes.
“Media houses are independent platforms for public discourse, not sanctuaries from the rule of law,” Omwoyo said.
The Council said the issue was particularly significant as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election, when political campaigns, rallies and public engagements are expected to increase.
Why MCK is concerned about politicians seeking refuge in newsrooms
According to MCK, allowing politicians to use media premises to evade law enforcement could compromise the neutrality and safety of news organisations.
The Council said newsrooms have a specific role in society: to facilitate journalism, provide platforms for public debate and allow journalists to inform the public.
“Newsrooms are not safe houses or asylum centres; public figures must vacate premises immediately after their engagements,” MCK said.
The Council warned that politicians turning media facilities into temporary hideouts could place an unnecessary operational burden on media organisations.
It also raised concerns that such incidents could create the impression that journalists or media houses are involved in political disputes or are deliberately helping individuals evade law enforcement.
“Transforming newsrooms into tactical hideouts places an undue operational burden on media houses and risks falsely portraying journalists as accomplices to external disputes,” the Council said.
MCK distinguishes media access from seeking refuge
The Council clarified that its position does not seek to restrict politicians from accessing the media or expressing their views.
Political leaders routinely use media platforms to communicate with the public, respond to allegations, explain policies and participate in interviews.
However, MCK said there is a clear difference between entering a media house for a legitimate journalistic engagement and remaining inside the premises to avoid arrest or other legal processes.
“While the Council fiercely defends freedom of speech, politicians must answer to law enforcement authorities, and outside media properties,” it said.
The Council therefore urged political leaders to respect the physical boundaries of media organisations while continuing to use legitimate media platforms for public communication.
Why the warning comes ahead of 2027
Kenya’s political environment is already becoming increasingly active ahead of the 2027 General Election, with politicians holding rallies, forming alliances and positioning themselves for different elective positions.
MCK said increased political activity should not expose journalists and media organisations to unnecessary security risks or political confrontations.
The Council stressed that media houses must remain neutral regardless of the political affiliations of individuals who visit their premises.
It said protecting this neutrality is important for maintaining public confidence in journalism and ensuring journalists can operate without being drawn into political disputes.
What MCK expects from political leaders
MCK wants politicians and other public figures to use media houses for their intended purpose and leave the premises once their official engagements are complete.
The Council also urged political actors to distinguish between seeking a platform to address the public and attempting to use a newsroom to escape legal action.
It said respect for the professional and physical boundaries of media organisations would help protect press freedom and editorial independence.
“Media institutions must remain safe, neutral spaces dedicated solely to journalism,” the Council said.
The warning comes after an earlier incident involving MP Kaguchia, who was arrested after spending a night inside a media house while law enforcement officers sought to apprehend him.
With political activity expected to intensify in the run-up to the 2027 elections, MCK said media organisations must remain focused on their constitutional role of informing the public and facilitating democratic debate rather than becoming involved in political or legal confrontations.
