Nakuru journalists under the umbrella Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Nakuru chapter on Thursday joined other journalists countrywide in marking the World Press Freedom day amidst calls for better remuneration and protection of the freedom of the press.
A procession to mark the day started from Railways ground through Kenyatta Avenue to Nyayo gardens where branch officials of KUJ, Nakuru county assembly Speaker and representatives of the civil society organization and the Kenya National Library Service addressed the journalists.
KUJ Nakuru secretary Kioko Kivandi said it was unfortunate that cases of attack on journalists were on the rise.
“I hope as we pass this message the concerned authority will realize that the media needs a space to operate without intimidation,” he said.
He called on police to ensure better working relations with journalists in order to avoid cases of conflict at work.
KUJ Nakuru branch chairperson Mercy Kahenda reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the rights of all journalists are protected as enshrined in the constitution.
“We will have regular meetings in order to update all Nakuru journalists on KUJ plans,” he said.
Nakuru county assembly Speaker Eng Joel Maina Kairu while recognizing the vital role played by the media called on media owners to ensure better pay for journalists.
He regretted that in most instances when journalists fall sick or pass on, fundraising have to held in order to meet simple expenses which otherwise would have been met by the employer or the journalist’s family if the salary was good.
“I want to make a call to employers to ensure that journalists have better pay,” said Kairu.
He pledged to continue working with Nakuru media fraternity to ensure that there is free flow of information as far as assembly matters are concerned.