For years, journalists in Kenya have been the voice of accountability, reporting on workers’ strikes, amplifying demands for better pay, and exposing systemic failures. But the irony is unmistakable: those who spotlight injustice are often the least protected themselves.
As Antony Githinji of COTU-K aptly questioned:
“Why do journalists fight for other workers’ pay increment and benefits yet themselves are poorly paid, dismissed unprocedurally, and remain silent?”
This question anchored a spirited training on unionisation for young journalists in Nairobi, further supported by expert insights from Louis Thomasi, Director of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ Africa Office), and Silas Kiragu and Erick Oduor from the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) through the Union To Union (UTU) Project 2025. Their common message: journalists—especially freelancers—must unite under KUJ to protect their rights and secure workplace dignity.
Freelancers on the Frontlines of Exploitation
Kenya’s changing media landscape, as analysed by Rayhab Gachango, a writer, poet, and managing editor at Potentash, underscores a seismic shift in journalistic labour. In her presentation on freelance journalism:
“Media houses are cutting back on full-time staff and relying more on freelance contributors, but this has led to less stability and lower pay.”
Freelancers today are expected to be “entrepreneurs,” managing their brand, finances, marketing, and reporting simultaneously. They are not just storytellers; they are content creators, editors, strategists, and negotiators. But even as demands rise, fair compensation remains elusive.
“Freelance journalism pay can be inconsistent and often low,” Gachango warned, citing delayed payments, unclear contracts, and exploitation as major threats.
Unionising Freelancers: A Roadmap to Protection
Thomasi stressed that freelancers cannot face these challenges alone: “From my perception… as a collective of freelance journalists, you cannot solve these problems alone. It’s practically impossible.”
He proposed a Memorandum of Understanding between KUJ and freelance associations, allowing freelancers to affiliate officially and gain legal protection.
“What makes your union stronger is where every association… whether sports, health, agricultural journalists… is affiliated to the union. You have one union that takes care of all your fundamental rights.”
The Digital Hustle: Skills and Stress Collide
Freelancers must now master a wide array of skills—from SEO and multimedia storytelling to data visualisation and digital security. Gachango highlighted, “Freelancers now have access to low-cost tools, but they must master multiple skills, including editing, SEO, and social media strategy.”
But with this digital empowerment comes emotional and financial burnout.
“Freelancing can be isolating and emotionally draining. Journalists need to acknowledge the psychological toll,” she added, encouraging support networks and regular breaks.
Regulatory Reform and Institutional Inclusion
Thomasi further challenged KUJ’s structural limits: “KUJ can no longer be exclusively for journalists only. We must open up a door to engage media workers—those contributing significantly to the development of news.”
Citing global examples like Australia’s Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, Thomasi urged a constitutional review that broadens KUJ’s reach to include editors, producers, and digital creatives.
“If we don’t restrategize, we will find ourselves irrelevant. We need to reposition ourselves into relevance.”
The Path Forward: Representation, Resilience, Reform
As artificial intelligence reshapes newsrooms and business models evolve, journalists must act swiftly to secure their future. Thomasi closed with a powerful call: “Employers are maximising profit… so we who do the work must also restrategize.”
Journalists may hold the mic, but to keep using it, they need a union that speaks as loudly as they do.
