The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has warned politicians against turning media houses into places of refuge to avoid arrest or other legal action, saying such actions threaten the neutrality, safety and independence of newsrooms.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Council said recent events in which a politician remained inside a media house to avoid legal processes had raised concern over attempts to drag journalists and media organisations into political and legal disputes.
The statement, signed by MCK Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Council David Omwoyo, said media institutions exist to inform the public and should never be converted into what it described as "asylum centres or crime scenes."
“Media houses are independent platforms for public discourse, not sanctuaries from the rule of law,” the Council said.
With the country heading towards the 2027 General Election, MCK said it was important to restate the principles that protect both press freedom and democracy while keeping media organisations free from external conflicts.
The Council said the media must remain neutral and safe at all times, allowing journalists to carry out their work without being caught up in political confrontations.
“Media institutions must remain safe, neutral spaces dedicated solely to journalism,” the statement read.
MCK also maintained that politicians and other public figures should leave media premises immediately after interviews or any other scheduled media engagements instead of using newsrooms as places to shield themselves from law enforcement.
“Newsrooms are not safe houses or asylum centres; public figures must vacate premises immediately after their engagements,” it said.
According to the Council, using media houses as tactical hideouts creates unnecessary pressure for news organisations and may wrongly give the impression that journalists are involved in political or legal battles.
“Transforming newsrooms into tactical hideouts places an undue operational burden on media houses and risks falsely portraying journalists as accomplices to external disputes,” the statement added.
While reaffirming its support for freedom of expression and media freedom, the Council said political leaders must still comply with lawful processes and do so away from media premises.
“While the Council fiercely defends Freedom of Speech, politicians must answer to law enforcement authorities, and outside media properties,” the statement said.
The Council further appealed to political leaders to respect the professional and physical boundaries of media institutions, saying this is necessary to protect journalists and preserve editorial independence.
“The Media Council of Kenya urges all political actors to respect the physical and professional boundaries of media institutions to safeguard press freedom and editorial independence,” Omwoyo said in the statement.
The warning comes at a time of heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, when engagement between political leaders and the media is expected to increase.
MCK said protecting the neutrality of media houses will help ensure journalists continue carrying out their constitutional responsibility of informing the public without intimidation, interference or any perception of political affiliation.
The Council reiterated that the role of the media is to facilitate public discourse and hold leaders accountable, not to offer protection from legal obligations, and urged all stakeholders to uphold the rule of law while preserving the independence and credibility of Kenya's media.