Nairobi, Kenya - July 24, 2024

On Wednesday, numerous journalists in Kenya participated in marches to voice their opposition to what they perceive as oppressive government measures aimed at curtailing media freedoms. This comes in response to incidents where police reportedly targeted journalists during the ongoing protests that have shaken the nation over the past five weeks.

Kenyan journalists, many dressed in white, held placards reading "Journalists' Lives Matter," "Shoot Not the Messenger," and "End the Brutality" as they staged rallies in various towns and cities.

The protests were organized in response to recent attacks on journalists covering anti-government demonstrations, among other issues.

Initially launched last month by young Gen-Z Kenyans protesting tax increases, the rallies have escalated into deadly violence and broader discontent with President William Ruto's government. Since the protests began on June 18, at least 50 people have been killed and over 400 injured, according to rights groups.

Journalists covering these events have faced gunfire, tear gas, and baton and water cannon attacks, according to media organizations, further damaging trust in the East African nation's security forces.

"Freedom of the media and freedom of expression generally is on the verge of being eroded, courtesy of a rogue security apparatus," the Kenya Editors Guild stated last week.

On Wednesday, journalists in the capital Nairobi presented a petition to the police headquarters before marching to parliament.