Transparency International Kenya, in collaboration with AMWIK and other partners, hosted the “People’s Anti-Corruption Summit” at Ufungamano House, Nairobi, under the theme “Effective Whistleblower Protection Mechanisms: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption.” The event marked the 8th year since the declaration of July 11th as Africa Anti-Corruption Day and brought together diverse participants, including civil society representatives, religious leaders, media personnel, youth, and people with disabilities from various counties.
Sheila Masinde, Executive Director of Transparency International Kenya, officially launched the summit, which has been held annually for the past three years. The primary objective was to gather public views and solutions to combat corruption, a persistent challenge in Kenya. Transparency International, founded in 1999, is dedicated to promoting a transparent and corruption-free society through initiatives in good governance and social justice.
Throughout the event, various speakers shared personal experiences and insights on corruption:
A participant from Mombasa highlighted a case involving the misappropriation of funds by a Member of Parliament during the 2019-2020 financial year.
A Nairobi participant recounted how personal connections determined access to critical healthcare services, underscoring the pervasive nature of corruption.
In Western Kenya, a participant described having to pay a bribe to obtain a certificate of good conduct for a job application.
A Nakuru participant revealed how caregivers of children with disabilities are often forced to bribe teachers to ensure proper care.
Celine Achieng from Kawangware, a human rights defender, emphasized the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing public spaces and services, particularly during protests against the financial bill.
A Nairobi participant exposed how government-supplied medicines often end up in private pharmacies instead of public hospitals, forcing patients to buy medicines meant to be free.
George Kamau from Nairobi highlighted the rising costs of education, calling for free education to ensure accessibility for all.
Martin Ronala from Nakuru stressed the importance of public participation in policy-making, especially in health and reproductive policies.
Michael Oduor from Kawangware, a champion of good governance, discussed the ongoing struggle to pass the Whistleblowers Protection Bill, emphasizing the importance of individual accountability.
Samuel Mburu, representing the Alliance of Street Vendors and Informal Traders, spoke about the harassment and discrimination faced by street vendors, urging them to resist bribery.
The summit featured a strong call to action, emphasizing the need for evidence-based engagement, systemic changes, and personal integrity in combating corruption. Sheila Masinde expressed gratitude to all partners involved, including the USAID Usawa Programme, the Danish Embassy, the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, the Association of Media Women in Kenya, and others. She highlighted the critical need for effective whistleblower protection mechanisms and ongoing efforts to enact the Whistleblowers Protection Bill.
Sheila Roquitte, Deputy Mission Director of USAID, commended the summit’s theme and emphasized the importance of collective efforts in combating corruption. Irene Kizito, Deputy Executive Director at the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, reiterated the council’s commitment to the anti-corruption fight, while Joseph Kimani, Good Governance Programme Manager at the Danish Embassy in Kenya, praised Transparency International’s vision for a corruption-free society.
Queenter Mbori, Executive Director of the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), highlighted the role of media in exposing corruption and the challenges faced due to threats to press freedom. She called for the establishment of effective whistleblower mechanisms to support journalists and protect their sources.
The summit concluded with the launch of the National Integrity Action Awards 2024 by Sheila Masinde, who urged participants to continue the fight against corruption and submit nominations for the awards. The event underscored the importance of unity and collaboration in combating corruption, with a focus on protecting whistleblowers and ensuring transparency and accountability across all sectors.
By Victoria Masaya, Journalist, AMWIK Member
August 6, 2024
AMWIK and Stakeholders Forge Path to End Sexual Harassment in Kenyan Media
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The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), in collaboration Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), Crawn Trust and stakeholders from the Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG), convened for a critical meeting on sexual harassment interventions. The gathering brought together over 20 media stakeholders, each sharing their experiences and insights on the pervasive issue of sexual harassment within Kenyan newsrooms.
The meeting was prompted by the release of AMWIK’s comprehensive report titled Sexual Harassment in the Kenyan Media Landscape 2024. Commissioned by AMWIK, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the prevalence and nature of sexual harassment in the media industry. The study involved 240 participants and 20 Key Informant Interviews, aiming to assess the prevalence of sexual harassment, evaluate the existing legal framework, and uncover the underlying challenges in curbing such harassment.
The findings of the study painted a disturbing picture of the media landscape in Kenya. “A staggering 60% of the respondents reported experiencing sexual harassment during their careers. These incidents ranged from unwelcome advances and requests for sexual favours to offensive behaviour and the use of sexually explicit language,” the report revealed.
This high prevalence shows that there is an urgent need for interventions to create safer work environments for media professionals.
Queenter Mbori, Executive Director of AMWIK, emphasized the organization’s commitment to addressing this issue, stating, “Sexual harassment remains a persistent obstacle to achieving a just society where the media promotes equitable development and human rights. AMWIK is dedicated to creating a safer and more respectful working environment for all media professionals.” By addressing this issue, AMWIK, with support from CRAWN TRUST and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) has taken proactive steps to combat sexual harassment in the media sector.
The Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG) meeting aimed to assess the impact and progress of media houses’ adoption of sexual harassment policies and explore strategies for improvement.
During the meeting, stakeholders engaged in meaningful discussions about the challenges and possible solutions to sexual harassment in newsrooms. The consensus was clear: comprehensive and multifaceted approaches are necessary to tackle the issue effectively.
Among the proposed measures were the development and implementation of a model anti-harassment policy, as well as training and capacity-building initiatives for media houses.
William Oloo Janak, one of the stakeholders, highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing sexual harassment in the newsrooms saying, “We need to think about how we can partner with regulatory bodies to address these cases especially through making legal resources accessible and empowering even the police to handle the cases seriously.”
The Sexual Harassment Interventions Meeting marked a significant step towards addressing the pervasive issue of sexual harassment in the Kenyan media industry.
With AMWIK and its partners leading the charge, there is hope for a future where media professionals can work in an environment free from harassment, promoting equitable development and human rights. The commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders will be crucial in realizing this vision and ensuring that the media serves as an anchor of integrity and justice in society.
Queenter Mbori, Executive Director of the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), highlighted the role of media in exposing corruption and the challenges faced due to threats to press freedom. She called for the establishment of effective whistleblower mechanisms to support journalists and protect their sources.
The summit concluded with the launch of the National Integrity Action Awards 2024 by Sheila Masinde, who urged participants to continue the fight against corruption and submit nominations for the awards. The event underscored the importance of unity and collaboration in combating corruption, with a focus on protecting whistleblowers and ensuring transparency and accountability across all sectors.
