Behind the Byline: Kenyan Journalists Battle Poverty and Exploitation in Their Own Newsrooms

 

By Michael Olinga, Renowned Journalist

While Kenyan media outlets continue to expose labour injustices across industries, many journalists say similar abuses are rampant within the newsrooms themselves.

Dozens of correspondents, photojournalists, and editors interviewed by Vipasho News described poor pay, delayed salaries, lack of insurance, and exploitative work conditions — particularly within mainstream media houses.

“Some media houses should be marked as epicentres of labour rights violations,” said one long-serving correspondent. “It’s painful to see organisations sponsor golf tournaments and corporate events while journalists can’t afford basic healthcare.”

Poor Pay and Broken Promises

Most field reporters, especially those outside Nairobi, work without formal contracts and are paid only for stories that get published. Some say they earn as little as KSh 10,000 a month — or nothing at all during months when their stories do not make print or broadcast.

“You can file 20 stories a month, but only the two that get published will be paid for,” said another reporter. “Meanwhile, you’re expected to take photos, record video, and write for both print and digital platforms — all on your own equipment.”

Statutory deductions such as NHIF (now SHA) and NSSF are often not remitted. “We last received confirmation of payment more than three years ago,” said one correspondent.

Mental and Financial Strain

The financial pressure has left many journalists in debt, while some have been forced to accept handouts from politicians or interest groups, raising concerns about compromised editorial independence.

“Those who resist that temptation are sinking into depression,” said a Nairobi-based writer. “Being broke while knowing your employer owes you hundreds of thousands is torture.”

Mental health experts warn that the problem is worsening, especially as retrenchments or “reorganisations” push more journalists out of the industry.

Wide Pay Gap

The pay disparity within newsrooms is stark. Senior managers and executives enjoy generous perks, while most field reporters and junior editors earn below the industry’s recommended minimum.

“It’s like night and day,” said a photojournalist with over a decade of experience. “We’re the ones giving the paper national coverage, yet we can’t afford transport to cover stories.”

Institutional Silence

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) have previously called for standardised contracts and enforcement of labour laws. But change has been slow.

“It’s hypocritical that a sector that monitors others’ compliance with labour rights cannot uphold them within its own institutions,” said a media scholar at the University of Nairobi.

A Crisis of Credibility

Observers warn that continued exploitation could undermine the credibility of Kenya’s media. Without fair pay and protection, the industry risks losing its watchdog role and becoming vulnerable to political and commercial influence.

“If journalists cannot afford to live, how can they afford to tell the truth?” asked one veteran editor.

As media houses navigate shrinking revenues and digital disruption, experts urge them to prioritise the welfare of journalists alongside innovation. Until then, the messengers who inform the nation continue to work under conditions that mirror the injustices they report.