kas booklet 2016 rev2 - victoriousteps.com · kas international conflict-sensitive reporting table of contents 07 acknowledgements pg 08 dedication pg 09 foreword pg 11 only peace

KAS INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT-SENSITIVE REPORTING

CONFLICT-SENSITIVE REPORTING

DRAWN FROM THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE REPORTERS




Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung


Managing Editor: Lorna Seneiya Sempele

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS07PG

DEDICATION08PG

FOREWORD09PG

ONLY PEACE IS THE WAY11PG

PASSION DRIVES JOURNALIST TO COVER STORIES AT DEATH’S DOOR29

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MASTERING THE ART OF SURVIVAL33

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POLLUTION SLIDESINTO LIFE-THREATENING35

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HEART-RENDING DISCOVERYAND SEVERAL INJURED INTHARAKA-NITHI COUNTY37

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THE VILLAGE WHERE MEN NEVER SLEEP14

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CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE16PG

TIMELY REPORTING KEY TO QUICK RECOVERY OF STOLEN ANIMALS18

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LOW HEELS, SPEED,... AND A GOOD CAMERA19

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THE GOING GETS TOUGH FOR THE JOURNALIST IN KOROGOCHO SLUMS39

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PEACE JOURNALISM DOES NOT COMPROMISE ON CONTENT41

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WHEN YOU MUST BE YOUR BROTHER’S KEEPER43

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MEND IT OR BREAK IT!45PG

NO JOB NO PEACE21PG PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT

CRUCIAL FOR CONFLICT REPORTERS47

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SAFETY BEGINS WITH YOU23PG

SWIMMING AGAINST THE CURRENT AS A FEMALE JOURNALIST26

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THE TRUTH ABOUT CONFLICT- SENSITIVE REPORTING28

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NO STORY IS WORTH YOUR LIFE49

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THE CONFLICT REPORTER’S CHECKLIST52

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to acknowledge all the contributors to the stories (authors), KAS staff and the following for various contributions particularly in the four workshops on Conflict Sensitive reporting;

Maureen Wanyonyi (Rapporteur in Mombasa Conflict-Senstive workshop)

Catherine Ndung’u (Rapporteur in Nairobi, Nakuru and Kisumu Conflict-Sensitive workshops)

Grace Kilonzi

Mercy Nkatha

Alfred Ndumo

Audrey Wambwire

Phillip Muhatia

Milicent Otieno

Christine Nguku

Toyin Ajao

Elvis Mogeni

Peter Kiarie

Linda Ng’ang’a

John Oywa

Maureen Mudi

Ruth Kariuki

Lorna Seneiya Sempele


DEDICATION

These stories are dedicated to all journalists and media professionals working in dangerous places.

FOREWORD

Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) is a German political organization working to promote the ethos of democracy across the globe. We engage political parties, government, local organizations, and media and research institutions in discourse that affects the political dispensation of the country.

In 2016, one of the objectives for KAS Kenya was to assist selected media representatives report and sensitize the public on the disruptive nature of ethnically or religiously motivated conflicts, and to empower them through training on conflict-sensitive reporting to contribute to the process of conflict prevention as well as reconciliation during conflicts. To achieve this goal 4 workshops were conducted in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu and Mombasa targeting a total of 60 media professionals. The aim of these workshops was to provide media professionals with a forum to discuss conflict-sensitive reporting. Included in the workshops was a component on New Media, which highlighted the significant role played by social media and citizen journalism in the process of conflict prevention and resolution.

It is imperative to recognize that those targeted for the workshop were professionals with experience working in conflict situations across Kenya. As such, KAS found it worthwhile to offer them a further opportunity to contribute to this discussion by sharing their own field experiences. The stories in this publication are thus true accounts of some of the professionals that participated in the workshops. They aim to give practical examples of the realities that media professionals are faced with as they carry out their duties to deliver the stories of those that have been affected by conflict. Through these stories, the reader shares in their challenges, successes, fears and expectations, but most of all in their courage as they brave all odds to deliver the stories.

KAS proudly presents this publication with the ardent expectation that it shall be used by media students to add some knowledge to the practice of their profession. Furthermore, it is hoped that other readers of this publication, as well as of news and stories from other media, will appreciate the work of media professionals in conflict-prone areas. KAS hopes that those who have been the subject of media professionals as they go about collecting conflict-related stories may come close to understanding how the other shoe fits.

Finally, while KAS has the privilege to share these stories with you all, we wish to declare that the views expressed herein are not our own but are those of the contributing authors.


Journalists at a recent conflict-sensitive reporting

workshop sponsored by Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung

ONLY PEACE IS THE WAY

According to the Britannica Encyclopedia, peace is

the absence of war. But how easy is it to achieve peace? Can one achieve it through revenge or retaliation when provoked? Maybe yes, and maybe no. The answer depends on an individual’s temperament. People are different. Some people are ‘light hearted‘, while others are ‘deep hearted’ and their responses are dictated by their psychological and biological traits.

BY: KEPHER OTIENO

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Allow me to submit based on a personal account that there is no easy way to achieve peace. Pursuing peace is the ultimate goal, but this cannot be easily achieved without, understanding, logic, and reason. In my case, I have resolved to rise above partisanship in conflicting matters. I happen to be one the few journalists in Nyanza County covering conflict-sensitive stories from a political analysis standpoint. Each time I attend political rallies organized either by the Opposition or Jubilee political parties, I endeavor to write my stories from a balanced viewpoint regarding the competing interest of the political parties involved. I develop my stories in a free and fair manner without fanning the differences of the two sides. Needless to say, in some instances, the issues raised in such political rallies are so sensitive that if, as a journalist with passion for peace, I would report them as they are stated at the rallies without temperance, then Kenya would inevitably and regrettably slide into tribal animosity.

I recall one of the instances when I was tasked to develop a story as a reaction to the anti-IEBC Commissioners’ protest that had been sparked by the Opposition Party. I took a call from one of the senior Opposition MPs, after the Opposition Party leaders and the Jubilee Party leaders had hit a stalemate on whether the IEBC Commissioners should stay put in office or leave, and this particular MP was giving me his view on the way forward. It was a very emotive telephone conversation such that I experienced a lot of terror, fear and despondency as he was asking me to report an intended boycott notice, which he felt would serve to teach the Jubilee Party a big lesson and even lead to economic sabotage in the country. I could not imagine that such a respected legislator had forgotten that he owned a local hotel that would also suffer the consequences of such a boycott, even though he was claiming that his opponents and big companies supplying the basic foodstuffs are the ones that ended up benefitting financially from the IEBC fracas. So in his political viewpoint, reporting the purported boycott notice would lead to ‘economic sabotage’ and teach the opponents a big lesson. His reaction was based more

on emotion and less on wisdom, without consideration of the ramifications of what he was stating.

As a journalist, I had to consider journalistic principles when wondering whether I wanted to write such a story: slander, defamation and libel. This consideration gagged me from sharing the legislator’s opinion as he wished.

I found myself in a similar predicament when the National Alliance top official called me and poured scorn on perceived enemies in the Opposition Party in the hope that I would write a story based on his remarks. He was of course oblivious to the impact this would have on the Kenyan readership and beyond. I must confess covering politics is not a rosy affair. Like ruling a country, it is a skill which requires wit to draw out logic and reason, as well as the ability to help resolve and provide solutions to Kenyans.

It is from some of these conflicts that I have been emboldened as a journalist. Today, I must state that I have learnt that when reviled one should not revile in return but instead show respect. This is not an easy virtue to achieve overnight. It requires understanding because you cannot force peace. From my experience and from hostile reactions from readers and at times from my sources, I have been forced to be more bold, balanced, free and fair in my reporting, in keeping with the canons of journalism, which like other fundamental principles of journalism are clearly articulated in human rights laws.

Experience spanning over a decade, has taught me that when writing conflict- sensitive matters you must shed off ethnic tags and claims.

It is worse when journalists practice derivative journalism, where they repeat published dossiers without minding the legal impacts of such stories, and without authenticating the content first. During a conflict-sensitive reporting workshop organized by the German Embassy in Kisumu, I reminded TV, radio, and print media cohorts to rise above sectarian

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Author’s Bio:

“I am a journalist, consulting editor, trainer and a public policy analyst. Many of my stories in Kenya have been published in The Standard Newspapers and in County Magazines. I write a regular column for The African Executive an Online Journal for the Inter-Region Economic Network (IREN), and regularly contribute stories to the Management Magazine a Publication of the Kenya institute of Management, among other publications. I have lived for some months in Europe and worked as a roving foreign correspondent. Recently I wrote for the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, and for the Annual Convention of East African Law Society in Kampala, Uganda. My passion for writing stories on gender, health, and population issues enabled me to win the UNFPA Media Award. I am a member of the Kenya Union of Journalist and Regional Coordinator for the Kenya Media Population Network and I have written breaking news stories on terrorism attacks, natural disasters, as well as the pre- and post-election protests. I am already preparing to cover and provide in-depth analysis of the upcoming 2017 general elections. I regularly commentate on socio-economic and political issues and act as consultant editor for diverse media houses. Training other journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting is of great interest to me, as well as informing them on the challenges of New Media.”

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interests and stick to their journalism principles. By so doing, we will all avoid sliding into different types of propaganda.

Black propaganda is reminiscent of certain regimes in different parts of the world, where autocratic leaders used it to gain support from creed or belief opinion. Such leaders simply peddle falsehood through their established propaganda ministry headed by trusted followers, and it can lead to an acute sense of negative ethnicity and slide into violence. Such propaganda cannot be authenticated and consists of half-truths. This is what some politicians, especially those in the Opposition Party, like to use against the Jubilee Regime. So while covering stories involving the Opposition Party, it is useful to determine which issues are true, and which are not. Look at the recent twists and turns in Kenya regarding the alleged water scandal, the Euro bond, and IEBC, et al. These have all been conflict-sensitive issues, which have been fortified by derivative journalism.

Take another example of a matatu. When an accident of a passenger vehicle occurs, some journalists are quick to report that a Nissan matatu carrying passengers from Siaya to Nairobi was involved in a road accident. In

the accident, five passengers escaped unhurt while several others sustained bruises and fractured arms. Well, an accident occurred yes, but there are so many matatus plying our roads and not all of them are Nissans. There are Toyota Sharks and Isuzu brands, as well as others. The general assumption is that any passenger vehicle involved in a road accident, as long as it is carrying passengers, is a Nissan, and this is a wrong assumption. If a reporter on the beat is not careful and went ahead to report it is a Nissan matatu, the Nissan manufacturers may file a legal suit against the reporter. This is why we must be conflict-sensitive and precise, as well as report facts in our reporting, in order to avoid costly legal tussles.

I could share a lot more on this, but as a last word, let me advise my colleagues to be objective and issue-driven when developing conflict-sensitive stories. We must remain objective regardless of the diverse political parties represented. Let us not forget the wisdom of generations past as reflected by their sayings such as: “Let’s not drive out darkness with darkness, only light can do that, let’s not drive out hate with spite or hate, only love can do that”. Given that God is love, let’s pursue peace, love, and unity as is upheld in the Kenya National Anthem.


It is early morning as we drive into the village, and the place is buzzing with activity.Curious villagers line the paths as our vehicle negotiates the murram roads that are caked with fine, reddish-brown dust. Some bystanders wave at us, while others simply stare. Perhaps, those who stare are used to the sight of strangers invading their troubled universe. The small shopping centre is the commercial hub of the village that is part of Raitigo sub-Location, Esise Location, Borabu sub-County. Sandwiched between Narok, Bomet, and Kisii Counties, the hilly enclave is an island of sorts, and an attractive target for cattle rustlers from the three counties.

“There was a raid last night and Mr. Masese Nyamwamu lost 10 head of cattle,” Mr Mogaka who is our guide tells us.

We turn into a rougher patch of road, and our guide informs us that we have just entered Bomet County. The stolen cattle have been recovered at Kipsigei Forest and we are heading to Kabweria, almost seven kilometres from Raitigo, to meet the search party that is bringing them home. Five minutes later, we spot the convoy of police vehicles making its

way towards us. As we draw nearer, we can hear the sound of singing. As the vehicles bypass us on the narrow track, we spot police officers and Raitigo residents aboard them, standing next to the recovered cattle. Most of the residents are heavily armed with bows and arrows. We turn our car around and follow the convoy, which soon stops a short distance from the shopping centre. It is time to dance. Women are ululating, praising their valiant men for recovering their precious milk cows from the enemy. A combined force of police and area residents has just recovered 15 heads of cattle after continuously trailing the raiders for eight hours; tiresome work. This is Raitigo, where men do not sleep. The cattle were stolen in a previous night raid at Mr. Nyamwamu’s home. His son, 21 year old Wycliffe was woken up by noise in the tightly-fenced cattle enclosure at the home. When he went to investigate, he was struck on the cheek by an arrow fired by one of the rustlers.

“I turned to run and was struck by another arrow in the back. Fortunately, the arrows did not bury themselves deep in my body because it was dark and the raiders could not see me clearly,” he said.

He was the ninth casualty injured by arrows in a spate of attacks this year that have escalated to an average of 20 heads of cattle stolen per month. Mr. M. Nyamwamu says the raiders are so brazen that they even taunt their terrified victims before driving the cattle off.

“I heard them dare me in Kiswahili, ‘come out if you are a man!’ but I could not come out since my son was already injured and they were more than 15 raiders,” Mr. Nyamwamu tells us.

In the past four weeks, a total of 21 head of cattle have been stolen, and are yet to be recovered, so this successful recovery is major step in efforts by the government to bring some semblance of normalcy to the lives of

THE VILLAGE WHERE MEN NEVER SLEEP

In Igorera Village, sleep for men, at night, is a rare commodity. Here, men who sleep soundly

will suffer great losses.

“We have become that rare breed of men that spend the night keeping vigil, alert for any suspicious activity around our homes, and listening keenly for distress calls from our neighbours”, a villager, Mr Christopher Mogaka says.

BY: DARELL MOSOTI

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farmers and cattle owners in the area. Among the victims of these raids is Ms. Jerusha Marita, a widowed mother of four. Her cattle are yet to be recovered.

“We do not sleep in this area because of frequent attacks by members of the neighbouring community. The situation is so serious that our men have become night guards, alert for the arrival of cattle rustlers,” Assistant Chief Joseline Oange says. She was in the search party that traced the stolen cattle, carefully trailing the raiders who first headed to Transmara before turning west into Bomet. According to the administrator, the cattle thieves could have chosen the Transmara route as a way to fool the search party into thinking that they were from that area.

“Recently, there have been skirmishes between the Kisii and Kipsigis communities living along the Transmara border. The rustlers probably wanted to scare us off the pursuit by fooling us into thinking they were from the Emurrwa Dikirr side of Transmara. After realizing that we were still trailing them, they turned into the Bomet side and abandoned the cattle in Kipsigei Forest,” she says. She explains that trailing cattle rustlers is risky affair, since the raides are always heavily armed.

“If your search party comes into contact with the raiders, they are most likely to attack you with machetes, clubs, bows, and arrows. This is why we proceed with caution,” says Ms. Oange.

She says that even the Kisii side has its livestock thieves.

“During a recent raid, we traced 15 stolen goats to Masimba, Nyaribari Masaba, Kisii County,” she says.

Mr. John Mochama, a youth leader, wonders how cattle rustlers can pass through an area that has four Deputy County Commissioners, 10 chiefs, 20 schools and over 20,000 residents before arriving in Kipsigei Forest, without being spotted by anyone.

“Whenever we are tracking the cattle, the response from our Kipsigis brothers and sisters is that they have not seen or heard of any cattle moving through the area. I doubt whether this is the case,” he says.

Area MP Mr. Ben Momanyi recently told the Deputy President William Ruto during a visit to Nyamira that his people are living in a constant state of insecurity.

“We are forced to sleep with our animals in our houses because of the fear of rustlers. In fact, we no longer sleep because of insecurity,” Mr Momanyi said.

The Deputy President on his part said County Commissioners, their deputies and other members of the national administration will be relieved of their official duties if such incidents continue in the area unabated.

“You have no business being an administrator if you cannot do your duty, which is to protect the lives and property of the citizens residing in this area,” DP Ruto said.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) National Treasurer Mr. John Matiang’i, who hails from the area, says the cattle raids have had a negative impact on learning in schools in the area.

“Our male children who are of age are normally forced to wake up at odd hours due to disturbance caused by the cattle rustlers’ attacks. The older ones even participate in searching for the cattle, and when the cattle are recovered, they will leave school to go and witness the return of the cattle. This is wasting a lot of valuable learning time,” he laments.

Mr. Matiang’i states that political incitement is one of the reasons behind the vice, and adds that peace meetings between the communities will never bear fruit as long as area leaders continue to incite their constituents to raid each other.

Author’s Bio:

“I am a freelance journalist with a passion for penning human interest stories that explore rarely-publicized perspectives. I have worked for online international publications, as well as for local ones for the last four years.”

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Covering conflict has been an interesting yet risky beat to cover in my five years as a journalist. You never know what will happen, nor what or who you will encounter. I was always upbeat about being sent out on assignment for a conflict related story but since the incident above, I have been a bit timid to go and cover especially riots or demonstrations. They say once bitten twice shy, and this is true in my case. I remember another particular incident as I covered protests in the renowned Kibera Slums. The traders at a market in the slum were protesting about the high daily tax they are charged by representatives from the County Government in order to carry out their businesses. As I interviewed one of the traders, a huge crowd of people who were fleeing from riot police who were chasing them, started surging towards us. Caught between the surging crowd and the traders,

I and my interviewee decided to also make a run for it. The teargas canister that was aimed at the demonstrators unfortunately exploded and released its toxic gas into the air and engulfed us all. Darkness, eyes stinging, people shouting, some wailing - it was chaotic! In the confusion, I lost my hand bag and the microphone for the recorder I was using. The way back to the office seemed unusually long that day.

From my experience, I have learnt a thing or two. For example, while the story is important, your life is the first priority as you cover a story as a journalist. I used to get so excited about being in the “frontline” of the battle field and get the “juicy” parts till I suffered from a broken arm. I have also learnt that it is always important to work and travel together as a team with your colleagues or counterparts from other media houses. While it is fulfilling to be known as the reporter who “made a scoop”, it may mean that you suffer becoming an easy target while covering the story in the field. Were my colleagues not present during these explosive encounters as a reporter, the final outcome would probably have been worse.

I am thankful for the valuable knowledge and skills I received during the training recently. I am more determined to cover more stories, offer a different perspective, and be an agent of peace-building and cohesion. I look forward to more capacity building in the field of conflict-sensitive reporting not only for me, but also for other journalists in the country. I urge all media professionals to be keen about ensuring that the stories they cover and report are objective and well researched.

CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE

Ruuuuuuun! was all I heard as I navigated my way through a crowd of people

while covering a demonstration in Nairobi City Centre. All of a sudden, I felt something hit me on the back, and I literally saw myself falling. “Help”, was all I could say. I tried to get back but the pain on my back was too much to bear. I crawled to a nearby verandah and tried to sit up. My colleagues, who had also been caught up in the chaos came to my rescue and carried me to a waiting car.

BY: FLORENCE WATENE

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Author’s Bio:

“I have extensive experience covering conflict specifically in the slums in Nairobi. I currently produce a radio programme called Sauti Kutoka Ghetto which focuses on the challenges faced by slum-dwellers. I love reading and travelling.”

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Author’s Bio:

“I have worked as a journalist for the past seven years doing as a freelance for mainstream media in Nairobi and Kisii Counties, in Kenya. I currently write as a correspondent for the Nation Media Group. I love writing on topical issues.”

He called for the completion of a police station at Raitigo and asked the government to post Anti-Stock Theft Unit officers in the area.Borabu OCPD Mr. Anthony Onyango however says that criminal enterprise has more to do with the spate of attacks than political incitement.

“We suspect that some of the individuals who are stealing cattle are from the area. The problem is not just related to the border area but is prevalent in the whole of Borabu,” said

the OCPD, and he added that, fortunately, the rate of recovery for stolen cattle has recently increased despite the frequency of attacks.

“The secret to effective recovery of stolen animals is prompt notification of the same to the police and other members of the community. We have been recovering up to 90 percent of cattle stolen especially when the theft is reported on time,” he says.

TIMELY REPORTING KEY TO QUICK RECOVERY OF STOLEN ANIMALS

“One of the leaders was recently heard telling his tribesmen that all the animals in Gusii belong to them. If that is not incitement, then I don’t know

what incitement is,” an angry Matiang’i, who is a brother to Education CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i, said recently.

BY: AGGREY OMBOKI

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That being the case, some conflicts are spontaneous and so unpredictable. For example the recent attacks directed at Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto when over the weekend police released tear gas canisters at a meeting he had attended in his area.

In such cases, the safety of the journalist and his/her equipment comes first. A story is never worth more than your life. From my experience of covering stories in conflict hot-spots, I have learned to be prepared psychologically and physically. Put on the correct attire for easier mobility; if possible always have a spare change of clothes in the office to change into just in case you are sent to report a story in a conflict zone.

Safety, safety, and safety, is key. That means studying the mood of the environment and the people involved. Sometimes the parties are hostile to the journalist and the police

Covering conflict is the most interesting beat for a journalist as it inevitably

raises one’s adrenaline levels quite high. It comes with its risks on the part of the affected parties as well as on the part of the journalist. Some places are renowned conflict hotspots, for example the Kisumu-Nandi border, Nyakach-Kericho border, Kerio Valley, and Kondele areas, just to mention a few. The above areas have had a series of conflicts to the extent that one can predict the next attack.

LOW HEELS, SPEED,… AND A GOOD CAMERABY: ELIZABETH OJINA

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Author’s Bio:

“I am a freelance journalist and correspondent for Seeds of Gold, Saturday Nation. My duties entail feature writing and photography.”

who are in the area. At times, the police officers are hostile to the journalist for example during the IEBC public protests in Nairobi where police lobbed tear-gas at journalists who had gone to cover the story. Therefore you have to strategically select the area where you will stand to get the best picture and see the unfolding events, while keeping yourself safe as well. That means you stand in a place where you will not fall a victim of any sudden eruptions of violence.

It is essential to provide authoritative sources for news items for example getting comments from the police boss, the area chief, and from the affected victims to ensure balance, accuracy, and fairness in reporting. As a journalist your choice of words can spur conflict instead of encourage peace. When you mention that community X has attacked community Y, most definitely the audience will make judgment based on your report, and they may choose to retaliate against community X because of your presentation of the story.

In addition it is essential to go beyond face value and investigate the underlying factors that cause repeated clashes, as well as identify where possible the people who are fueling the clashes. As most conflict lead to negative impacts, try filing a conflict story in a way that will bring about a positive impact instead. For example what measures have been put in place to stop the conflicts, who are the individuals who are considered the peace champions in these conflict-prone areas, and what measures are being put in place to foster peace?

Above all you will never go wrong when you follow the journalistic codes of ethics.

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This was after the SGR kicked off their project at one of their stations a few metres from Embulbul Shopping Centre. The work is overseen by the China Road and Bridge Cooperation, a subsidiary of China Communications Constructions Company. The project has three different phases: Phase 2B which runs from Naivasha to Kisumu; Phase 2C which runs from Kisumu to Malaba at the Kenya-Uganda border, and Phase 2A which runs from Nairobi to Naivasha and passes through Ngong in Kajiado County.

The residents claimed they were not getting the first priority in employment as local residents of the Kajiado County despite the fact that the SGR was being built in the locality. Others claimed that SGR managers were demanding bribes from the locals amounting to 5000KES ((USD 50) in order to employ them at the construction site. Others still, were claiming they had been terminated from employment by the SGR builders without adequate explanation.

The crowd of more than 50 protestors waved tree branches shouting ‘NO JOB NO PEACE as they headed towards the SGR project station. However, not everyone in the locality

was aware that the protests were taking place. Small businesses along roadsides were closed as a result of the demonstrations; it was a sudden move that no one expected and they felt that their businesses were vulnerable to looting from protestors. Idlers were incited into joining the protests and everyone watched to see what would ensue.

This caused a bit of tension as police officers were called to intervene even though these were peaceful demonstrations where locals exhibited their dissatisfaction to the SGR employers. The residents refused to back down even as they saw the police approach. They persisted with their demonstrations determined to grab the county officials’ attention.

The officers tried to calm the crowd but this was not easy as most protestors were desperate for jobs. Most protestors refused to be interviewed but one woman decided to speak up. She said ”Nafasi ya kazi ndio tunataka sisi wakaazi wa hapa Embulbul…nothing more, nothing less”, (“Residents from Embulbul only seek a chance to get a job, nothing more, nothing less.”)The Member of the County Assembly from Oloolua Ward, Mr.

On the 22nd of September, residents from Oloolua Ward, Kajiado County, carried placards and banners that read ‘NO JOB, NO PEACE’ and demonstrated loudly against what they considered were unjust

employment practices by builders of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). Both the youth and adults converged in Embulbul Village, where they began their demonstrations against unemployment of locals in their home areas by the builders of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), despite the blatant fact that people from outside the county were getting paid and employed by the same SGR builders.

NO JOB NO PEACEBY: JAMES MBUBA

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Author’s Bio:

“I work as a radio presenter with Domus Marie Radio and a social media manager. I also produce and host a radio show called The Bomb, an RnB and Hip-Hop show that runs for two hours every Saturday. While working at Homeboyz Radio, I had the opportunity to voice a Totale advert that was accorded ample time on several radio stations. I also conduct an Open-Mic session on the Jua Msanii programme to help develop Kenyan radio talent. During my spare time, I love to skateboard and spend time with friends.”

Njogu Kimemia said, “job-seekers should be employed, and failure to do so, the project will be put on hold.”

Member of the County Assembly from Ngong Ward, Mr. Paul Suppet added, “it’s each and everyone’s right to get a job and the Kenya Constitution, 2010, states 70% of the residents living in the area where a project is being initiated, should be employed by the project.”

The SGR management had not officially started the project until President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned it on October 19th, 2016. They avoided commenting on the dispute facing the construction of the SGR and also did not comment on the fact that the railway passes through the Nairobi National Park.

The residents and the SGR management came to an agreement before they began constructing the railway, and they promised that locals would be given jobs. The activities were halted for almost a week after the demonstrations, in order for them to sort out the issue of providing jobs to local job seekers in the area, who were desperately in need of a source of income.

The development of the SGR is supported by the Government of China, and is estimated to cost $1.5 billion. Both President Uhuru and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed a $1.4 billion deal on the construction of this railway in Kenya. The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is estimated to be 120 kilometres long once construction is complete, and this includes a 5.3 kilometre tunnel, which will take close to three months to complete.

After the official launch of the SGR, engineers from China Road and Bridge Corporation, the contractors, and the other employees have not been on duty. Residents are anxiously waiting for the intakes and startup of the venture, which will probably begin in January 2017.

The programme has seen some setbacks over the past few months including the National Environment Tribunal temporarily stopping the construction of the Naivasha-Nairobi railway. Through proper communication between all relevant stakeholders and a great deal of patience, consensus might ultimately be reached between them, which will then lead to the successful completion of this SGR project.

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They pointed at us, and armed with big sticks, they said we were the ones reporting negative things within Kisumu County, and that is when my colleagues from Nation Media Group was surrounded and attacked mercilessly. I managed to escape. One of the goons followed me and wanted to confiscate my camera since I had taken pictures of him beating up the demonstrators, but I managed to run away from him.

This is when I wondered to myself how safe I was when covering demonstrations, especially since I had always believed that as long as I was close to a policeman, I was safe. I came to realize that this is actually not the case for journalists when they are covering stories in conflict-sensitive areas.

In many cases, it becomes a dilemma for journalist to strategically look for a safe place to stand, while at the same time focusing on effectively covering conflicts. This is especially true because when one stands on the side of demonstrators, one might be mistaken to be one of them, or the police might feign ignorance about you being a journalist and attack you because you have been highlighting cases of insecurity within

the region in a way that is unfavorable to them.

For example, during the anti-IEBC demos, police lobbied teargas canisters at our journalist vehicle during the protests as we were almost involved in an accident as a result of that uncalled for attack.

The same dilemma applies when you stand on the police side, because the demonstrators mistake you to be colluding with the police against them, or might throw materials towards the police and this could harm you.

LESSONS LEARNT

When covering conflict one must always know that there is no story worth their life, hence when they see things getting out of hand they should stay away from the conflict area. One has to be in a strategic place, where you do not stand on the police or demonstrators’ side if you think it might cause harm, but instead stand in a strategic place where you are able to see and record what is happening on both sides without

How safe am I when covering conflict? This is the question many journalists find difficult to answer. You might have the protective gear, and equipment in a safe place, but your safety while covering conflict

is another issue altogether. I have covered different types of conflict in terms of demonstrations within Kisumu County and my experience has not been good. At one point, my colleague and I were attacked and he was beaten by the attackers. This incident happened when police and hired goons attempted to bar demonstrators from presenting a petition over escalating insecurity, to the County Government. This is when the goons turned on us and attacked us as we attempted to capture the moment.

SAFETY BEGINS WITH YOU BY: FAITH MATETE

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putting yourself in danger.

There are always two sides to a conflict so a journalist must use language that does not fuel the conflict further. For example, a journalist can avoid mentioning specific ethnic groups, but instead state that two communities in a particular area had a conflict.

One should also avoid using pictures and videos that fuel conflict because some people might target a journalist as a result of spotting you in a picture, so when covering such conflict and violence erupts, you end up being harmed.

Above all, codes of ethics of journalism should always be followed by all journalists when covering conflicts.

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Author’s Bio:

“I am a journalist who works at The Star newspaper in Kisumu. I have completed a Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication at Maseno University. I have worked in the media industry for almost four years now, and especially enjoy covering issues that affect women.”

Participating journalists at the conflict sensitive reporting workshop.

Years went by and I came to face the hard reality about the job-it. It is not a walk in the park, and not for the faint-hearted. Many of my colleagues left due to frustrations in the newsroom, and danger in the field, and went on to join ‘softer’ fields like Public Relations.

Come 2007, when Kenya was having a General Election, nothing could have prepared me for the violence that was meted in some of the counties. In Mombasa for instance, an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) zone, once the news broke out that the then President Mwai Kibaki had won the elections, angry voters took to the streets and riots became the order of the day.

Being among the late-night reporters, my boss instructed me to cover some assignments in the evening and report back to the office around 7pm the same day for briefing. It was only when I was out, with some of my colleagues that I realised I could not even reach home to refresh and get back to work. Most roads had bonfires lit on them, and youths chanting ODM slogans had lit tyres, blocking major roads out of the town.

Our driver who was keen to ensure I got

home and also get some stories, encouraged us to push our way through the crowd despite the dangers involved. While flushing our company press cards, and assuming we would be safe, we got to a congested area where rowdy youths pointed machetes at us.

Tides turned against us as the youths blamed the media for reporting that Kibaki had won, and some begun pelting our vehicle with stones. Our attempts to drive past them were thwarted as one of the tyres got a soft puncture. Knowing the danger we were in, I asked the driver to reverse and go back to the office. One of the windows was shattered and some of the broken glass fell on us.

Back at the office, my boss understood probably due to the fact that I was expectant. He offered that we rest in one of the newsrooms for the night. After covering and monitoring the fracas, from some areas that were not so hostile, I finally filed my story and briefed my boss.

At night, we (together with a colleague on night shift) went to have some dinner in a hotel near the office, before going back to the newsroom, which was to be our home for

SWIMMING AGAINST THE CURRENT AS A FEMALE JOURNALIST

The hazards involved while being a journalist in the field are often dangerous, and in some cases, life threatening. When I joined the media industry in 2002, I had a rosy picture of what journalism is all

about, and I was excited to be part of the Fourth Estate due to the ‘prestige’ I thought, it carried. In the same year, having owned by first hand-set in order to cover elections, I was elated to be out there in the field and learn as I covered stories for my employer, The East African Standard.

BY: MAUREEN MUDI

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KAS INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT-SENSITIVE REPORTING 26

the next few days. When the situation got back to normal, and after demonstrators left a trail of destruction in terms of destroyed businesses, evictions, and injuries sustained by those considered to have been ‘Kibaki friendly’, - we were allowed to go back home.

I used to live in Bamburi area, one of the places that had rowdy youths always ready to cause chaos. That night, since there was power blackout, I decided to go purchase ready-made convenience food at a nearby hotel, but on my way back, I found my house in flames. I could not save anything since being pregnant meant that if I tried to salvage anything that would have exposed me to even more danger. My neighbor, who was in the house, when the fire broke out, only managed to save some bedding and her children. All my property had been burnt to ashes and the fire brigade took some time coming to the scene as we lived far into the interior of Bamburi area. The cause of the fire was attributed to the rioting youths who had selected some targets.

That night, I ended up in the hospital over false labor pains, and after being discharged, I begun rebuilding my life from scratch, considering I had less time to plan for the baby’s arrival and also plan for my needs.

I was enlisted among the 200-plus Internally Displaced People (IDP) in Kenya, from Kisauni Constituency and efforts were made by the Government to help us reconstruct our lives. These efforts did not yield much.

Fast forward to 2013, when I had already switched companies and assumed a much senior role in the newsroom with my new employer. I got a very strange visitor to the office.

That was the period when issues on radicalization and terrorism were at its peak. One of the suspected radical Islamic leaders, Sheikh Abubakar Makaburi, who had been

profiled by the government over extreme teachings and allegedly having links with Al-Shabaab, visited me.And once he entered my office, he did not mince his words. His message was clear that he had come to warn me of dire consequences if we continued reporting on ‘radicalized’ youths at the famous Masjid Musa Mosque. The youths, he said, were angry at our reports which indicated that they had been radicalized. The warning did not go without some ‘lesson taught’. Next time one of the cameramen from our offices went to cover a story on the youth at the mosque, he was roughed up, his camera broken in pieces, and he was beaten into a pulp. Some of his colleagues managed to drag him to safety as the youths kept baying for his blood.

On the one hand, we had Makaburi on our case, and on the other hand, the government felt we behaved like ‘sympathizers’ of radicalized youths, through our reports. A senior government official also called me and had a long argument over the stories we had, and threatened to take action against us. My movement within town was limited as I had clearly become a target. Reports were made to various journalists organizations including the Kenya Correspondents Association, which arranged to have conflict-sensitive reporting training for several journalists, in order to ensure that we knew how to protect ourselves in times of danger while covering stories in conflict-sensitive areas.

Being a journalist has not been a walk in the park, but it has shaped my perception of so many issues in life, and also given me the much needed exposure that has helped me handle certain challenging aspects in life.

Author’s Bio:

“My life as a journalist spans over 15 years, and despite the draining and challenging experience, I have run against the grain as a female journalist and succeeded in climbing the ranks in the media industry. Today, I am proud to state that I work with The Star a newspaper of the Radio Africa Group, as the Chief Correspondent in charge of the Coast region in Kenya. I have also worked for various media houses including The Standard Group and Baraka FM, as well as in Uganda and Ethiopia as a journalist on an exchange programme that was sponsored by the Association of Media Women in Kenya and the Uganda Media Women Association. I am happy to be alumnus of The Professional Fellows under the International Centre for Journalists, which took me to the United States (Washington DC and Minnesota) in their programme funded by the US Government.Under the Commonwealth, I have served as part of a team of journalists sent to observe elections in Malawi. Closer to home, I sit in the Eastern Africa JournalistsAssociation Executive Committee and also serve as the Coast Regional Coordinator of the Kenya Correspondents Association where I hold the Gender Coordinator slot in the National Executive Committee. With my Bachelor of Development Studies under my belt, I am hoping to take up a Masters of International Relations soon.Most importantly, I am married with three beautiful girls, and when I am not writing or editing, I love traveling, swimming, and reading, among other hobbies.”

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Participating journalist at the conflict sensitive reporting workshop.


Covering conflict-sensitive stories has not been easy. Many times, I have endured threats and destruction of my property as a journalist. For example, in July 2016, I was forced to flee a scene during the anti-IEBC riots in Kibera, after a group of youth threatened to throw stone at us if we refused to participate in the demonstrations. In other cases, I have been forced not to report some sides of the story to avoid conflict in certain communities that were clashing.

Despite the constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press and free speech, I have come under increasing attack from a variety of sources in the community. Although the media has largely portrayed these conflicts as inter-ethnic and pro-indigenous in nature, there are other causes which have found expression in political and armed rebellion. Sensitive questions on land rights, unequal

distribution of political power and economic resources, and questions on endemic corruption often lead to negative reactions and conflicts.

With the national news agenda controlled by the nation’s major media giants, it has become crucial to develop and strengthen media at the local level to maintain diversity of opinion. One of the enduring problems in Kenyan media has been a lack of training for local journalists who lack the ability to critically and deeply analyze the reasons behind some events.

In all challenges I have faced, I have learnt that there is need for the media not to personify a conflict so that an act of evil or good is not attributed to one person and so that news coverage does not overlook the consequences of violence on ordinary people.

THE TRUTH ABOUT CONFLICT-SENSITIVE REPORTING

The news industry has grown, and this has led to the compression of time and space. This means that we see news images of riots, demonstrations and coups around the world within minutes of these

occurring in the streets. Working in the media Industry especially in radio, I have reported on various conflicts in the streets of Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa, and the largest slum in Nairobi. It has experienced riots and demonstrations in the last two years. Covering these stories has left many journalists injured and wounded.

BY: KELVIN TUMAINI KAZUNGU

Author’s Bio:

“My name Is Kelvin Tumaini Kazungu, a writer, blogger, radio presenter and producer. I am a believer in social justice. I have an extensive experience in conflict reporting in Kibera.”

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I remember in 2011 when Lamu began experiencing kidnappings and piracy; I was among those who covered the incidents. Somali Gunmen raided Kiiwayu Sea lodge in Mkokoni near Kiunga along the Kenya-Somali border. That morning I and my colleague Jackson Njehia hired a boat from Lamu to Mkokoni to cover the news, following reports that a British couple had been kidnapped, and the husband gunned down. The journey on the ocean by boat was rough due to bad weather and high tides. We courageously proceeded with our captain.

Little did we know that the dreaded GSU, and Scotland Yard Police from Britain, had already been dispatched to the hotel, located on the mainland. We were welcomed by guns pointing at us near the shores, with some of the locals travelling with us raising their hands in surrender, and shouting for us to head back to shore. As the tides were high and rough, and since it was near the open sea that links Kenya and Somalia, we decided to plead with the police officers in sign-language to allow us to take pictures. Our plea fall on deaf ears and they almost shot us as they were not taking security for granted.

Sensing that we might get back without pictures or story, I told my colleague to start recording the scene as I took still photos

from a distance. We were risking three things – our lives, the boat capsizing due to the rough tides, and being attacked by pirates who were reportedly still targeting some areas. So many other cases of kidnappings of foreigners occurred during this time and we ended up camping in the area for over two months. All this time we were engaged in police operations both on the ground, on the seas, and in the air.

In 2012, as memories of the kidnappings faded, bloody clashes erupted in Tana Delta sub-county of Tana River County, between farmers and pastoralists (Pokomos and Ormas). Since this was my beat area, I together with fellow colleagues from Malindi, rushed to cover the attacks, which had been executed in Riketa near the border of Tana River and Lamu. The area is remote and not easily accessible as we had to drive to an area called Dide Waride in Witu, park our car, and get locals who volunteered to show us the way to where the attacks were taking place.

We were the first to reach the area and we were told the area could only be accessed by foot and after crossing seven streams and tributaries. We walked in the muddy and rough terrain for a long distance. At one time we had to undress so as to cross the streams. The locals volunteered to carry our

Since I joined the journalism career in 2008 I have been involved much in covering conflicts and insecurity ranging from Somali piracy, foreign kidnappings, tribal clashes, and

terror attacks. Had it not been for my passion, love for the job, and confidence in my work, I would have quit due to the real-life experiences that at times nearly cost my life.

PASSION DRIVES JOURNALIST TO COVER STORIES AT DEATH’S DOORBY: ALPHONCE GARI

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cameras and clothes for us as we crossed the streams. They guided us across a terrain that they were used to.

After hours of walking in the wilderness, we came out into an open field and starting meeting with pastoralists who had been attacked during the clashes. They were so angry with us and told us ‘So you are happy that our people have been killed? We shall finish you also.’ All of them were armed with spears and knives ready to kill us. It was a very frightening and dangerous situation. We could clearly see their anger and desire for vengeance in their eyes. It took the intervention of our aides for us to be allowed to go free. Luckily, were not very far from the scene.

It was around 3pm, newsroom Nairobi was calling asking for the story and picture, the network in the area was not reliable. It was on and off. At the scene, we were welcomed by a very depressing picture, a somber mood, a burnt village with over 100 houses reduced to ashes, and frightened residents seated in different corners. One of the locals showed us the bodies of the clash victims where they had been placed in an old mosque .They told us to count the bodies so as to confirm the numbers. Counting was not that easy as some bodies were badly mutilated; others were burnt

beyond recognition. Such charred remains were placed in a sack. One of the sacks had the remains of a family of eight members; all burnt beyond recognition. I shed tears when I came across a body of a mother with her two-month-old baby. She still had him strapped on her back. Both were dead. They had both been slashed on the neck.

In total, I counted 62 bodies, including those that were burnt beyond recognition and bundled in sacks. Already, since the residents were Muslim, they were digging a mass grave in which to quickly bury the dead. Since I had never experienced what I was seeing, I determined to be courageous and to take good pictures and report the incident accurately as it had happened. That was the beginning of a one month’s bloody tribal violence that nearly cost my life.

Retaliatory attacks were the order of the day as each community wanted to revenge after an attack. The scenes were scary as they involved scenes of murdered children, women, and youths. After Riketa, the first revenge attack happened in Kau Village, which was not accessible by land. We had to drive to Kipini and take a boat along the Tana River to reach the village after two hours.

The day we responded with the Police and Kenya Red Cross to news of the attack, and

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rushed to the scene, thirty-two people had been killed including an elderly person. Some of them had been dumped in the river. What followed next was a series of attacks from village to village; revenge missions.

Together with my colleagues, we went to the different affected villages to develop stories on what had taken place. At Kilelengwani, the scene was worse as there were nine police officers who had been gunned down and their badly mutilated bodies dumped on the ground and in nearly school classrooms. Some police officers could not even carry their dead colleagues to a waiting helicopter as it had been a scary experience for them.

One day, with the violence heightened, we started to encounter challenges to our personal security. We responded to one village that had been attacked in Nduru , took pictures , then the pastoralists turned against us due to the anger they felt about what had happened. They came toward us with spears, and arrows, and baying for our blood. A group of armed young men cornered us and wanted to lynch simply for doing our job. They did not listen to our pleas and it took the intervention of one of their own, who protected us and helped us reach our car that was only five metres away with a lot of difficulty, and quickly flee.

Another day, as we responded to an attack, we found a road had been blocked and suddenly, we heard whistles and saw a group of armed men emerge from the bushes around us. They demanded to know who we were and where we were going. We almost returned to our base, but they finally allowed us to pass after searching our vehicle to ensure that there was no enemy inside it.

Tana Delta massacre was the worst experience I had and it haunted me for a long time. Every day thereafter, I could see images in my sleep of the badly mutilated bodies we had seen in the villages. More than 200 including 9 police officers were killed in the ethnic violence that took place in the Tana Delta and over 40,000 others were displaced from their homes. I saw all

the bodies in the villages, and counted them one-by-one after all the attacks.

The worst of it all happened in 2014 at Kibaoni in Mpeketoni when Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked the area and killed over 62 people on the first day. Together with three colleagues, Dickson Wekesa of KBC TV, David Shariff of K24, and Nehemiah Okwemba of NTV, we were heading to Lamu Island to cover a function, which was to take place very early in the morning. We decided to drive at night so as to avoid a last minute rush.

Upon reaching our destination, a police officer told us that two vehicles had been hijacked nearby and that we should be careful on the way. We switched off the loud music in the car, closed all the car windows, and decided to proceed since we were used to driving safely at night in the area. Buses too were travelling at night.

A short distance away from Kibaoni Junction that leads to Mpeketoni, we started hearing gun fire. A bus had also stopped in front of us. We asked our driver what was going on and he switched off the car engine and told us to listen. We could clearly hear heavy gun fire from Mpeketoni town. It was around 10 pm. The bus driver advised us to proceed and park the vehicles at Kibaoni Petrol Station until the situation calmed down. By that time, we had no Idea it was a terror attack. We parked our vehicles took our cameras and changed to zoom lenses to take pictures of the burning town from where we were. Four men dressed in jungle-like uniform walked past us without greetings; we came to later learn that they were members of the Al-Shabaab because there were no other officers walking round at that time.

After about an hour the gun shots began getting closer until we felt we were no longer safe. I tried to hide under an old canter next to a nearby tree but changed my mind as I realized it was not really a safe place. By this time, the gun shots were closer to the Kibaoni Junction. Sensing danger, I told my colleagues to jump over a perimeter wall as

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Author’s Bio:

“I was born in Gahaleni village, Malindi on March 30th 1983. I am s third-born in a family of five boys and one girl. I studied for two years only in secondary due to lack of fees but I worked hard and still managed to complete my studies. Today, I am proud to say that despite those initial challenges in education, I now hold a Diploma in Mass Communication from the Kenya College of Communications and Technology (LKCCT), Mbagathi Campus, Nairobi (Multi-Media University). Additionally, in January, 2017, I will be enrolling for a degree in Public Relations. My passion for journalism began in primary school when I developed an interest in photography. During my free time would take photos of nature. For relaxation I love to read widely, travel and explore new places. I am happily married and a proud father of a six-year-old girl.”

the area was not safe. I did not look behind again. I jumped over the wall and after stepping on the ground on the other side, I realized that we had just managed to escape the terrorists who had reached the Kibaoni Town and were now shooting continuously.

A loud bang heard, I came to learn later, was a Rocket-propelled grenade. It would hit something and give a loud blast. Five meters away from the perimeter wall I saw a trench and because of fear decided to get inside it as I sensed that this might protect me from harm. Many other people from the bus run past me but one of my colleagues, Wekesa of KBC joined me in the trench. I lay flat in the trench with my head placed on the head of my colleague while my camera lay beside me. We lay in that trench for close to eight hours as the terrorists sprayed bullets all around us. There was also a fire burning close to where we had sought refuge. The eight hours we stayed in the trench were very frightening, and we felt like they were eight years. We feared that the attackers could reach us where we were hiding and kill us. During the ‘deadly hours of hell’ it rained, mosquitoes feasted on us, but no one cared, as long as we were alive.

All this time we had lost hope of finding our two colleagues who had remained behind alive. The trench was very uncomfortable as there were water pipes inside it, but there was nothing we could do. Sometimes it was

clear to us that someone had been shot.

At five o’clock in the morning we heard continuous gunshots and then the noise moved towards the Witu Road. We realized that the terrorists had gone away because it was now daylight. However we decided to stay still until six o’clock before we dared to move. We then walked to the perimeter wall and peered over it. We noticed some people walking slowly on the road beyond it, and recognized some of them. That is when we gained confidence to jump over the wall. We were thankful to realize that our other colleagues were safe.

There were dead bodies all over the road and near the houses around us. Everybody wanted to just go straight home at first, and then we remembered we had a duty as journalists to report the attack. This is when coverage of the attacks began and it lasted for days. We visited many other dangerous places where terrorism attacks were taking place, such as Pandanguo, Gamba Police Station, Hindi and others. The trauma lasted for months, I could not sleep well for every night I could hear the sound of gunshots. There have been many other terrifying instances but since it is my duty to report, and since this is my life career, I will continue to inform the world on what is happening in the world of conflict, with passion and love.

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When still in class, I used to cherish and admire TV reporters, just because they appeared smartly dressed on TV. I never figured out who might be the force behind their good appearance on TV, or what lay behind the scenes in terms of the dangerous work they had to do.

When I joined the profession I had a lot of high expectations: And this ranged from a well-paying career, and no hustle. All this changed when I eventually hit the field with my first assignments being in the Tana River during the 2011/2012 clashes. It is here that I came face-to-face with danger. During those times I used to work like a donkey, with no salary or allowance, and life was tough.

My near death experience happened in June 2014 when Al-Shabaab fighters stormed Mpeketoni. I and three other journalists were heading to Lamu Island on a mission and it was when we arrived at Kibaoni Area along the Witu-Mokowe Highway that that all hell broke loose. The attackers approached a petrol station where we had parked our car following advice from area residents, and we were forced to scamper for safety. I ended up spending the whole night in a pit latrine. I could hear them tell the Muslim

watchman at the petrol station who luckily happened to be a Muslim otherwise he would have been killed, that they were Al-Shabaab and that the attack was a mere warning to the governments of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. What followed was intense gunfire that scared even the security officers.

When daylight broke, the men who had taken over Kibaoni went to a nearby mosque to pray. After the prayers, they came out and fired indiscriminately around them, and even set some houses on fire. By daybreak, no police officer had yet arrived at the scene.

The second most gruesome incident that got me nearly killed was an attack at on me and a Citizen TV colleague as we covered human rights abuses meted out on residents near the Galana Agricultural Development Corporation (GADC) Complex, at on the border of Tana River and Kilifi Counties.

It was in April 2015 when we left Malindi for the mission. Little did we know, we were a wanted lot by men in uniform. As we approached the expansive farm offices, our vehicle was surrounded by about twenty General Service Unit (GSU) officers who were regularly stationed at the government ranch nearby. They pounced on us as we alighted

“Journalism is a calling and the blessed ones survive,” Mr. Isaiah Galagali who taught me newspaper reporting and photography once told us in one of his classes. In my four years of practice I have

mastered the art of survival despite the rough tide in the field. Many threats and dangerous news gathering technics have to be endured if one is to make it in the industry. It is even more daunting especially when you are practicing as a correspondent or freelancing, not only in Kenya but also on the African Continent.

MASTERING THE ART OF SURVIVALBY: NEHEMIAH OKWEMBAH

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Author’s Bio:

“I have worked as a journalist for five years, and currently work as a freelance correspondent for Kenya NTV in charge of the North Coast part of Kenya. I am a member of the Kenya Correspondents Association and hold a Diploma in Mass Communication and Media studies. I look forward to enrolling for a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics next year. When I am not writing or editing, I love to travel, swim, and read widely. I am married.”

from the vehicle and started beating us with batons and gun butts as others shot in the air for about 20 minutes. They only stopped when their Commander intervened.

We were in the company of three Tana River County officials pursuing a story on the fate of some 200 head of cattle that were being detained by the officers at the ranch. We could have suffered a worse fate had the officers’ Commander not intervened in time to stop the beating. Despite his rescue, the beatings had been so bad that we ended up being hospitalized. “You are lucky to be alive. We would have killed you. You have come here to put us into trouble,’’ one of the angry officers could be heard saying after they had retreated following the intervention by their boss. The other victims were Citizen TV’s Reuben Ogachi; Mr. Abaroba Barisa, the political adviser to Tana River Governor Hussein Dado; Mr Koshe Elema, a driver; and a Communications Officer, Ali Wario.

Our cameras and laptops were destroyed during the 20-minute incident. We had visited the ranch after locals complained of harassment and beatings by the officers, with some accusing the GSU men of demanding 1000KES (USD 10, for every animal that had been recovered after a raid, before releasing them to the owners.

Many people condemned the attack and that was all but nothing more was done to the perpetrators. We did not receive any other help, not even counseling lessons. The Editors’ Guild and the Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) termed the attack as unwarranted and said the officers must be punished for their actions, but no action has been taken to-date. The news of the attack however, attracted worldwide condemnation and can be found in almost all media platforms, but that is all.

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However, violence is not the major cause or result of conflict. Even diplomacy has its fair share of conflict. Basically, conflict is as a result of differing interests and opinions between different parties. As a journalist, one is expected to cover different kinds of situations to enlighten people on what is happening.

Oftentimes, journalists are caught up in conflicts as they are accused by one or both sides of favouritism motivated by personal gain. The quest to be “smart” can be misconstrued as a stratagem to undermine either of conflicting parties, which can result in loss for the journalist or his media house.

Environmental issues have become very sensitive in journalism, not just in Kenya, but in the world over. With increasing awareness about the negative effects of global warming and climate change, people are jealously guarding their habitats from degradation. As an environmental writer, however, the point is easy to ignore and this can lead to conflict.

In 2014, I was given an assignment by a foreign news agency to cover a case of massive pollution caused by a tannery in Machakos County. Residents living downstream along the course of a river passing next to the tannery were up in arms against the firm’s management because of pollution from effluence emanating from the leather processing factory.

On the other side, a community that had a majority of its members employed in the firm felt that the people downstream were out to sabotage their only source of livelihood, since they (the former) had established cash crop farms. Closing the five-year-old tannery meant denying them the income they used to feed, shelter, cloth and educate their families.

In January 2016, I was invited to attend a stakeholders’ reconciliation meeting called by the County Administration. The meeting took place on a Friday morning inside the tannery’s premises. While the media were not invited, the County Administration carried me along and urged me to be as discreet as possible so as not to raise any suspicions among the other meeting attendees. This clandestine operation turned out to be a grave mistake.

In the course of the meeting, one of the community leaders blew my cover and accused me of being a spy disguised as a journalist. Emotions ran high as I was frog marched to the front and asked to reveal who I was working for. A fight ensued as the two opposing communities accused each other of using me for counter-intelligence purposes.

By its very nature, journalism is a profession that deals mainly with conflict and conflicting

situations. Indeed, the mantra that news is made up of “man-biting-dog” rather than the conventional ‘dog- biting- man’ holds true in news-making. People crave for the unusual happenings in a world full of routine.

POLLUTION SLIDES INTO LIFE-THREATENING CONSEQUENCESBY: STEPHEN NDEGWA

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Author’s Bio:

“I am a seasoned media practitioner and have written for both local and international media on development and social issues. I hold a Bachelor of Education Degree in English and Literature from Moi University, a post-Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication, and Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Nairobi. Currently, I am a communication consultant and columnist for the People Daily newspaper in Kenya.”

Consequently, the meeting went into disarray as the two sides engaged in fist fights and started throwing chairs at each other. I was whisked away by two administration policemen who had attended the meeting to offer security. They quickly drove us out of the venue to safety in Machakos Town.

Subsequently, I wrote my article with inadequate information, which could inadvertently have abetted the tension surrounding the worsening environmental crisis in that area.

CHALLENGES

One of the main challenges of the assignment was official bureaucratic lethargy caused by high- level corruption, both in the National and County Governments. For instance, I was unable to get the environmental and social Impact Assessment Report from the relevant authorities, particularly the National Environmental Management Agency (NEMA). While enforcement officers reiterated the tannery’s position that the project had been given a clean bill of health, none quoted any report. The County Environment executive did not have a clue either!

Secondly, illiteracy emerged as a major problem in my quest to get objective and enlightened views on the extent of pollution from the tannery. This concept sounded alien as the people did not understand both the

immediate and future effects of pollution on their health. Moreover, many people still view journalists with a lot of mistrust and are not ready to open up to them, and provide crucial journalistic information, for fear of victimisation or misquoting by the community and the journalists respectively.

BEST PRACTICES

This was a great learning opportunity on how to handle conflict. First, journalists should avoid getting information through subterfuge. From the onset, I should have been open about my intentions in the meeting. This would have avoided mistrust.

While conflict is inevitable in the career of a journalist, one should not let it interfere with fair judgment and objectivity in any situation. One way a journalist can ensure this is to ensure empathy with all sides. What may seem right to the majority may not necessarily be the best choice in certain circumstances.

Basically, journalists should keep above the fray and act as the Fourth Estate by calling all parties to account. The work of a journalist should be a lighthouse against which society can gauge how far it is going, and whether it or has gone astray from the path of truth, justice, and sustainable development.

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I hurriedly rang the area police boss just to know whether he was aware of the situation in that specific area. He mentioned that he had received contradicting reports about the issue, and that he was in the middle of organizing his soldiers to leave for the location. I offered to accompany them to the village, knowing that I had gotten a story to write for my beat. He agreed and in a short time I joined the police contingent and we drove off together. On reaching the hilly village of Kanthanje, Meru South, in Tharaka Nithi County, what I beheld left me in a sense of utter disbelief. The village had been brutally attacked, and you could see naked fear on the faces of all the residents who were still in the vicinity. This was the first time I had been to a conflict-sensitive zone and the experience was so traumatizing I will never forget it. The fact that I had to accompany the police

while searching for bodies in the nearby thicket was the most unbearable experience of all. Seeing the village people who had been attacked stare at us so helplessly was indeed heart-rending. We proceeded with the search and police discovered the body of a 70-year-old; who had been caught up in the crossfire. Three other victims were bleeding heavily nearby, and thankfully, an ambulance arrived in good time to rush them to the Chuka General Hospital.

The main challenge I encountered was the struggle to avoid being overwhelmed by the somber and very frightening mood that had engulfed the area. I also had to remain controlled as I was the only ray of hope for the traumatized villagers at that time. I had to assure them that it would all be ok in the end.

It was more difficult conducting the interviews about the attack since many were still afraid and emotional. It was almost impossible to get the specific details from the residents as most did not even have strength to narrate anything. There is one woman I asked to tell me what exactly happened, and by the time she mentioned how the attackers came upon her fellow villagers with machetes, she could no longer continue speaking and simply broke down in tears.

I was up and about on my day-to-day routine of gathering news, when I suddenly received

a disturbing call from someone who sounded in pain and helpless. I struggled to hear what he was telling me. I only managed to get the location from which he was calling.

HEART-RENDING DISCOVERY AND SEVERAL INJURED IN THARAKA-NITHI COUNTYBY: STELLA RINTAUGU

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A trainer in conflict sensitive reporting talks to journalists at the workshop.

Author’s Bio:

“I work with Royal Media Services with a vernacular station, Muuga FM. I do creative work, and present radio programmes. I am a 3rd year student at the Africa Nazarene University where I am studying a Bachelor in Mass Communication. As a feature writer, I must say that this training on conflict-sensitive reporting will go a long way in anchoring my reporting and presenting experience. It has also well-prepared me for the upcoming General Elections totake place in Kenya in 2017. I am truly grateful for having been part of this training.”

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In Korogocho, crime is a way of life for many young people. Poverty has pushed many youths to be used by powerful people to perform acts of violence against others. Crime in Korogocho has therefore become an obstacle to peace with criminal elements inciting neighbour against neighbour.

As a Journalist working for KOCH FM, a community radio station based in Korogocho, I have passed through a lot when covering conflict-related stories in the area, especially bearing in mind that KOCH FM has existed for 10 years.

LACK OF PERSONAL SAFETY DUE TO FAILURE TO TAKE SIDES

In the 2013 General Elections, I found myself in a tough situation where I was approached by youths from both sides of two major political parties, each one of them expecting me to take their side in the issue at hand. I found myself in a very frightening situation when I refused to take sides.

CHOOSING NOT TO COVER A CONFLICT-SENSITIVE STORY AND INSECURITY

Sometimes I choose not to cover a conflict-sensitive story in Korogocho as the same groups of people who perpetuate them know me well; hence it becomes too dangerous for me to cover the stories.

Korogocho Slums is the third largest slum in Nairobi after Kibera and Mathare slums. Home to 200,000 people pressed into 1.5 square kilometres, Korogocho residents come from

more than 30 ethnic groups, although most are from the Kikuyu, Luo and Luhyas ethnic groups.

THE GOING GETS TOUGH FOR THE JOURNALIST IN KOROGOCHO SLUMSBY: JAMES DOLO MBULO

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Author’s Bio:

“I was born in Siaya County to Daniel and Margret Mbulo and spent my school-going years first in Migosi Primary School and later at the Kisumu Day and High School. I was very pleased to get admission into the Kampala International University in 2008, and to graduate in 2011 with a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication. Currently I volunteer at Koch FM, which is a community radio station based in the sprawling Korogocho slums of Nairobi. I work as a Radio Presenter and reporter there.”

THE USE OF UNRELIABLE SOURCES

Unreliable resources are another problem in covering conflict. Most of the residents, despite having full information about a certain issue are afraid to share the story with you for fear of the ramifications. As a journalist, you are forced to drop the story because of lack of sufficient information.

ILLITERACY AND LANGUAGE BARRIERS

Illiteracy is also a major hindrance when covering conflict stories because a news source may have information that they want to send to you but how to transmit this to you becomes a challenging issue as they are illiterate. A language barrier may also exist

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making it needful for me as a journalist to look for a translator, and this will cost me some money hence forcing me to part with some cash before I get the information of interest to me. In conclusion, the government should increase the number of police posted to conflict-sensitive areas, and beef up security in the area. There is also need for training of journalists on how to cover conflict-sensitive stories.

The Government should organize meetings between the Local Administration and the residents in conflict-sensitive areas to raise awareness on the salient issues in such areas with regards to conflict.

The media, especially radio stations, were indicted in the Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence (CIPEV) Report for having had a hand in fueling the violence through negatively-ethnicized radio broadcasts. In fact, one of the journalists Joshua Arap Sang of KASS FM was named as one of the leading perpetrators of alleged charges of crimes against humanity by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) alongside five other politicians.

This I believe was an eye-opener, not only to journalists, but also to non-State actors, on the need to build the capacity of journalists especially when covering conflicts, so that they ensure they do not practice partisanship in their reporting. Personally, as a professional, and having covered the elections as one of my major assignments, I realized there was a big gap in how journalists reported before, during, and after the elections. I felt that most journalists took sides and this was evident from their reporting. However, the vernacular stations were openly biased.

So, after the rigorous two-week training on conflict-sensitive reporting (CSR), I decided

to be empathetic yet objective when handling stories that involved conflict. After the training, I had a chance to use the knowledge I had received in handling conflicts, as I was privileged to train fellow colleagues from Nyanza, Western, and Rift Valley Counties, especially ahead of the 2013 elections, through support from an organisation called Local Capacities for Peace.

In the series of trainings, we had personal interactions as colleagues and shared much on the pros and cons of embracing conflict-sensitive reporting. Interestingly, we observed that as journalists we have for a long time been making mistakes, some unknowingly, in regard to how we package and broadcast stories during conflict situations. Most journalists do not understand the whole context of conflict, causes of conflict, and even aspects of conflict-mapping. And this further becomes a challenge to most journalists especially those at the county level who also serve as ‘rounders’. For example, a look at the recurrent border conflicts in Kisii, Kipsigis; Kisumu, Nandi, and Sondu, etc. will show that a section of the media does not deeply report conflicts.

My name is Allan Obiero, a radio journalist with seven years’ experience as a radio reporter. My first encounter with conflict-sensitive reporting was in 2010 when I was privileged to undergo a Training of Trainers

(ToT) workshop for a group of journalists by an organisation known as Safer World. It was a pleasant two-week encounter where I got an in-depth view and understanding of various aspects of conflict. This was in the wake of the 2007/2008 post- elections violence after the disputed 2007 General Elections that plunged parts of Kenya into violent chaos that lead to loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of persons.

PEACE JOURNALISM DOES NOT COMPROMISE ON CONTENTBY: ALLAN OBIERO

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Author’s Bio:

“I have been in radio journalism for over seven years, and currently work as a senior reporter Nam Lolwe based in Kisumu. I train other journalists in conflict-sensitive journalism and I rejoice in the fact that I also an award-winning journalist.”

As journalists, we tend to focus more on the conflict and getting out to the public scary images of individuals brandishing weapons, while using hard-hitting story introductions. However, we do not make an effort to communicate peace messages and initiatives.

But, are journalists peace ambassadors as well? Looking at the old adage in journalism that says ‘when it bleeds, it leads’; most reporters concentrate on reporting the actual violence when conflict erupts, and nothing more.

But, looking at the conflict-sensitive journalism (CSJ) concept, conflict develops in different stages, and once a journalist understands these stages it can enhance how he or she reports on conflict.

It is also important to lay emphasis on post-conflict reporting just to ensure that peace initiatives are also given publicity, as opposed to only focusing on the actual conflict when it is taking place.

I would wish to mention that the biggest challenge that impedes this conflict-sensitive journalism is the lack of regular training and capacity buildings for journalists. There is a need to have a continuous training process where organizations can keep tabs on groups of journalists especially those in conflict-prone areas, to ensure they are well-trained to report professionally and empathetically on such conflicts when they occur.

The proliferation of social media and citizen journalism has also put a lot of pressure on journalists especially during conflicts. These are realities we have to live with.

The media organizations also have to grapple with objective reporting while keeping media owners and advertisers satisfied. Media organizations would want to slant voices and even paint individuals or communities negatively to achieve their own selfish interests. However, this can be handled by the Media Council of Kenya as a regulating body, as well as the Communication Authority of Kenya to curb subjective reporting.

Additionally, journalists can be part of the solution, since we are the first contact point for such stories and we can choose to angle them and tell them as objectively as possible without influence by anyone. Therefore, aside from other considerations like media ownership interests, individual journalists have a stake in ensuring objectivity.

There is also a greater need to for non-State actors to identify and walk together with special groups of journalists, especially those working in conflict-prone areas, just to ensure that they are continuously engaged and sensitised in the multi-pronged approaches of handling conflict-sensitive journalism (CSJ).

Finally, individual journalists must be patriotic and refuse to fan political temperatures or even community wrangling. We should be alive to the fact that we are also part of the Kenyan fabric.

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The meeting, which meant to broker peace between the two groups, ended up in a bloody war. A letter, purported to have been signed by the leader of the Ntimama crew, and stating that the land had already been sold to KENGEN, was read to the audience, and this led to the bloody eruption of violence.

The armed youths immediately charged the opposing group. They accused the late Honourable Ole Ntimama of being behind the sale. Immediately they demanded he leaves the area, stating they did not wish to be addressed by him any longer. Brandishing placards, clubs, and swords,

Covering the resettlement of the Maasai by KENGEN in Olkaria was one of the harshest experiences for me as a new journalist in Naivasha. The two Maasai communities and warring parties had differed over

the choice of community representatives to the Lake Naivasha Task Force. The resettlement and the representation had caused sharp differences in the pastoralist community residing in the area, and it bred bitterness among the two groups. The second group linked to the late Minister of National Heritage and Culture, William Ole Ntimama, accused their rivals of selling land meant for the resettlement of the affected families from the first group of Maasais.

WHEN YOU MUST BE YOUR BROTHER’S KEEPER BY: JOYCE KIMANI

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Author’s Bio:

“I have been a feature writer handling stories on women and children’s rights for the last seven years. I correspond for The Mail and The Guardian Africa, as well as for The Daily Maverick.”

they immediately started attacking each other. They especially targeted the tent in which the late Ole Ntimama was sitting, with other leaders.

Women, caught up in the fracas, started wailing while rolling on the ground. Ntimama was then whisked away, but we as journalists, were left in between the angry Maasais and the police, who were forced to shoot in the air to disperse the crowd. The police quickly removed us to safety. After some time, we left the ranch and drove to a safer location.

For journalists covering conflict-sensitive areas, adequate preparation is required before heading to the location. A journalist must have a plan beforehand so that when he or she sticks out the microphones and prepares the cameras, they also know where they will seek refuge if things become ugly. In fact, most times when violence erupts, we lose communication and end up stranded, looking for our colleagues. A proper plan would include writing down the stories we seek to get from the functions and finally writing a balanced story, without any bias, as well as ensuring that no one falls victim of intimidation by any group.

Carrying of first aid equipment is a requirement for anyone going on out to the field as a reporter. Heavy cuts and bruises, spraining of ankles and choking from tear-gas are common. Carrying water, pain killers, a small fire-extinguisher, and ensuring we have helmets on, are all important. However, in some cases, journalists often find themselves without even the water for washing their eyes when the tear-gas canisters are lobbed at them. Often, they are forced to run away from the scene.

In covering conflicts, I have always found it safer to be on the side of the police. In case of a riot, I normally walk in with the policemen, who offer protection in case they start chasing the rioters. This ensures they are able to identify journalists and distinguish them from rioters.

Proper dressing has also been important in conflict reporting. Often, I opt to dress casually, in jeans and a t-shirt. I once wore high heels and when fighting ensued between the police and the rioters, I could not run, and I was trapped between the two warring parties. Often I avoid jewelry as I have seen many journalists getting robbed during conflicts.

Carrying some amount of money has also been useful. Having cash that one can use to pay for a taxi back to the office, or cater for hospital bills in case one is attacked, are also important.

Regarding my equipment, I have always wrapped it in old masking tape to make it look old. My colleagues have had their cameras stolen from them by looters as the equipment appeared brand new, but mine has often been ignored because of the masking tape.

Learning basic first aid skills has enabled me to provide the necessary treatment to help my friends who have been injured in skirmishes before the doctors arrived.

Most importantly, a journalist has to learn to assess the situation. They should be able to analyze if they are jeopardizing their safety and avoid this at all costs.

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For Over the last four years, I have been on the front line in this profession as a journalist and it has never been a walk in the park. It is about life and death.

As Victor Bwire, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Programmes Manager of the Media Council of Kenya put it, “No story is worth your life”.

This reminds me of an incident where I almost lost my life, 28th March, 2013, after I was injured in the line of duty when covering demonstrations by Egerton University students in Njoro, Nakuru. The students were protesting over the killing of a fellow student, who died after it was alleged that the he went with others to “quench their thirst”. One student was later found dead.

The university students demonstrated against the villagers near the university seeking answers for the cause of death of their comrade. In this context we see two parties with different needs; each party defending itself.

However, if not handled with care, such a situation might escalate and turn out to

regrettable levels of violence. Police were later called in to control the situation and calm ensued.

Baba’s Tour in Nakuru, (Opposition Leader Raila Odinga’s tour ), that took place on the, 11th of June, 2016, almost found me pants down, when rowdy youths opposed to his party, converged at the Nakuru Donnies Hotel and , tried to block and disrupt a meeting that was organized by his supporters. The meeting turned out to be chaotic and as a result I got injured, after a stone hit my back as I dashed away for safety.

Even though I had attended numerous workshops about conflict-sensitive reporting, I learned in the most recent one that the key factor should be bridging gaps in our reporting whenever there is a conflict rather than making conflicts worse and unbearable.

As a result of this, there is need to embrace a best practice that will find a solution to the problem, hence the interest–based relational approach is the way to go. This is where you should resolve conflict by separating people and their emotions from

Definition of the word conflict: This is a situation that involves friction and disagreements between two or more parties that see each other as a threat as far as their needs are concerned. Whenever the

word conflict is mentioned anywhere, the automatable thing that lingers in one’s mind is destruction of property and death. However as a media practitioner and especially as a news reporter, caution is needed in giving labels, lest more harm is caused in an already worse harmful situation. More so, as a trained journalist, it is equally of importance to be sensitive and find out the root cause of a conflict when reporting.

MEND IT OR BREAK IT!BY: DAVID OMURUNGA

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Author’s Bio:

“I am a journalist, news anchor, presenter, and reporter. Currently, I work as an Assistant News Editor for Radio Amani in Nakuru. This is a community radio station that is run by the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru. I have worked as a journalist for over four years and love writing human interest stories. I hold a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Institute of CommercialManagement, ICM England, and I have attended numerous training workshops organized by the Media Council of Kenya, and diverse civil society organizations. I am currently involved in peace campaigns and I live in Nakuru County.”

problems. It is significant to note that this approach helps build mutual respect and understanding between all conflicting parties and ultimately leads to peace. It also focuses and encourages parties to resolve conflict in a united and cooperative way. One needs to promise to support all parties and come up with an understanding of the different positions and encourage both parties to approach a common bargaining ground, even if it means agreeing to disagree in the end.

Challenges faced during this process involve personal safety during the process of covering the conflict. You might end up being a story yourself, and you get injured in the line of duty.There are also shortcomings such as: minimum or no support from the organizational/media house in terms of mobility from one point to another, lack of insurance cover and lack of safety gear like helmets, bullet proof jackets, and so on.

BEST PRACTICES

As one covers conflict, it is of great importance to consider the following steps:-

1. Make sure that good relationship is given a priority and treat both parties in a respectful manner.

2. Try as much as possible to separate individuals or parties from problems, encourage flexibility, and avoid rigidity by any party. Let there be room for compromise always.

3. Make sure that you give a listening ear to each parties. Listen to both sides and mirror what both parties are saying so that it is clear that you understand their perspective.

4. Listen first, talk later

5. Gradually set out the facts carefully without damaging anyone’s reputation.

6. Let each other opinions be respected for ultimate good. Even though conflict can present itself at any point, anywhere, anytime by listening the warring group or parties, exploring facts, issues and prioritizing possible solutions carefully, conflict can be effectively resolved.

7. Discuss possible solutions together to gain consensus

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QUESTIONS TO POSE

1. Are journalists well-prepared to handle conflict-sensitive reporting?

2. Are there emotional challenges that result from conflict-sensitive reporting?

3. Are there measures which can be employed to prevent or reduce emotional imbalance in the journalists?

4. Is there an effective treatment/management plan for those suffering from Post-raumatic Stress Disorder (PSTSD)?

Conflict-sensitive reporting requires that the journalist is in the location where the conflict is taking place. Some unexpected conflicts like riots and demonstrations require emergency measures and a journalist needs to be well-prepared by the media house before going to the conflict scene. When unprepared, a journalist may come across situations that are psychologically and emotionally disturbing and it leaves scars that cannot be easily erased. In the long-run if psychological help is not sought, the individual may suffer Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) which in most cases leads to poor mental health.

Mental health problems, according to the general understanding of society, refer only to mental illness, and mental illnesses are shrouded in s shame and stigma and those who suffer from them are in most cases

avoided and forgotten by society. Journalists dealing with conflict-sensitive reporting suffer a lot of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and ultimately struggle with psychosocial challenges or ultimate depression.

There is need to include psychological help in the daily working of all those involved in reporting so as to build up and strengthen their coping mechanisms. This is one of the most effective ways of dealing with all psychosocial maladjustments. Mental health problems are on the rise therefore as journalists, we cannot ignore them. There is limited information on mental health problems and many myths abound; hence they need to be demystified. Journalists need to be at the forefront in the advocacy of treating mental health problems. They need to be the voice of those who are too afraid to speak out. Mental health advocacy will promote human needs and rights and reduce the stigma and discrimination directed to those with mental health issues.

Journalists also need to be trained on sensitive reporting especially when dealing with issues touching on people’s emotions. For instance, in an interview, the role of journalist should allow the interview to move naturally as opposed to influencing the outcome. This is especially true when interviewing abusers of drugs and other substances, or even families that have suffered the death of a loved one through suicide. For example, there is ways to

Conflict-sensitive reporting is a very delicate task and needs a lot of preparation. Psychological first-aid needs to be administered to those assigned with the task when visiting conflict scenes. These individuals/

groups need to be psychologically prepared on what to expect at the scenes of the conflict, how it will affect them, and how to handle what they find.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT CRUCIAL FOR CONFLICT REPORTERSBY: MARY WAHOME

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Author’s Bio:

“I am a Programmes Director in Reason to Hope, Kenya, a community-based organization that empowers people to build inner resilience to cope with modern day stresses such as: maladjustment, peer pleasure, poor nutrition, and drug and substance abuse. I am also the CSOs representative to the Taskforce for the Implementation of the Kenya MentalHealth Policy 2015 – 2030 and a founder member of The Health and Wellness Consortium (THAW). This consortium addresses Holistic Mental Health and Psychosocial Disability through capacity building and advocacy. As a qualified Psychologist with key competencies in abnormal psychology, adolescence psychology, Trauma Counseling, drug and substancehabilitation and family issues, I have been involved in mental wellness awareness and advocacy campaigns in both print and electronic media. I hold a Diploma in Systems Analysis and Design ACP (London); A Bachelor’s in Counseling Psychology; and a Masters in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies. I have played a key role in researching and writing twopublications together with the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights: ‘Silenced Minds:The Systematic Neglect of the Mental Health Systems In Kenya – 2011; and a conference paper entitled ‘The Importance of Involving the Community as Partners in Care in the Management of Severe Depression’.”

deal with people suffering from drugs and substance abuse. Also when reporting suicide it would be better to say that the person died from suicide rather than saying that the person committed suicide. It may appear okay with the reporter, but it is always good to empathize with the suffering family members and understand the psychological harm it may cause to the friends and families of the victim.

REASON TO HOPE

‘Reason to Hope’ is a programme geared to empowering individuals and communities to cope with the threat of issues related to maladjustment, peer pressure, stress, low self- esteem, drug and substance abuse, and mental illness, that are manifesting daily in our modern lifestyles. Stress in modern life is on the rise due to traumatic events like: rising insecurity and conflicts, family breakdown, effects of drugs and substance abuse, pressure at school/work, unemployment, and the high cost of living, among others. This has resulted in decreased productivity, low or non-performance, addictions, and increased violence. Ultimately, these challenges left unattended has resulted to in escalating cases of mental ill health problems that we are seeing around us every day.

Our approach in the Reason to Hope programme is holistic, integrating psychosocial, spiritual, and the biomedical needs of the persons affected. We do this by mobilization of public, private, faith-based organizations and individuals willing to partner and/or support the programme. These include professional and non-professional personnel as well as volunteer services.

CONCLUSION

Strengthening the capacity of journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting is key in ensuring that they are empowered with more knowledge on best practices in this regard. Journalists in conflict-sensitive reporting are exposed to emotionally disturbing environments which if psychological help is not provided, may suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and mental health problems. PSTD if left unattended for a long time will eventually lead to mental illness. Therefore, there is need to offer psychological counseling services to all victims of conflict including journalists who cover such conflict.

There is no better time to act than now. The evidence is clear – there can be no health without mental health and little will change without continued action and effort.

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As we approach the election period in Kenya, it is crucial for journalists to be trained on conflict-sensitive reporting, as any story to do with conflict can make or

break the readership if written insensitively.

NO STORY IS WORTH YOUR LIFEBY: SAMUEL CHEGE WANGARI

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In 2007/2008 for example, Kenya experienced the worst scenario where many lives were lost and property worth millions destroyed. Journalists covering the events as they unfolded ended up being emotionally affected to the extent that they could no longer be objective in their reporting, as they had not been trained regarding how to report stories on conflict. They could not be impartisan, and by taking sides, they negatively affected their readership and made bad situations worse between different ethnic groups.

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The media plays a vital role in society as it educates the populace and also disseminates information to groups of people in different parts of the country. Media houses therefore have to take great care to teach their reporters to write their stories from a sensitive and mindful angle, which will not make already fragile situations even more acrimonious between community groups.In the 21st century, it is evident that every time we tune in to the media/ news stations to watch, listen, or read the day’s events, most of what we come across is conflict-related so it is evident that a journalist must be equipped with skills that will help him or her steer clear of creating chaos and hatred instead of peace and reconciliation. While reporting on conflict related issues, journalists are at high risk of being attacked by either party and therefore security measures should be put in place the zone where the conflict is taking place to ensure that media practitioners come out unscathed if possible.

Social media has played a vast role in creating conflict; there is too much hatred, abuse and use of vulgar language on such media, and this is fanning hateful tribalism among other vices. There should be a law to cap/mute stories that encourage negative ethnicity. Journalist should also be keen while posting any information onto social media, before it is confirmed to be true. They should be vigilant on what point of view they take otherwise it may cause more harm than good.

The 8th of July, 2016, is recorded in South Sudan where the SPLA-IO Forces spokesperson allied to Riek Machar posted a false message on Facebook alleging that Dr. Riek Machar had been detained by President Salva Kiir’s forces at the palace. The message instantly worked upon and ignited war in Juba where more than 270 soldiers died and property was destroyed as a result of this misdirected and untrue story. This reflected how a simple post on social media can spread like bush fire and ignite turmoil leading to the unnecessary loss of many innocent lives. Journalists must therefore acquaint themselves with media law and

Author’s Bio:

“I am a Communications professional with training in mass communication, advertising and public relations from Masinde Muliro University Kenya. I currently work as a Communications Officer in a children’s hospital in Kenya. I consider myself a friendly person who believes strongly in effective communication. I also love helping the less fortunate and the aged in the society.”

ethics and learn how to report stories in an impartial, independent, reliable and accurate manner.

As we approach the General Elections in Kenya in 2017, I appeal to journalists to go for training on conflict-sensitive reporting to get skills and information regarding how best to report sensitive and painful conflict situations. This way, this will present only accurate and impartial news and ultimately reduce acrimony.

Dr. Mark Deuze, a Professor of Media Studies, once stated that “the media industry is going through a profound transformation that is disrupting just about every aspect of the business. Journalists are the center of

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transformation that is challenging norms and routines that have remained until now highly consistent.”

Let us all be ambassadors of peace, we all play a big role in averting conflict through the delivery of our information as journalists. Conflict is disruptive to harmony in our country. As often as we recite the second stanza of our national anthem in Kenya, which states

“Let one and all ariseWith hearts both strong and trueService be our earnest endeavorAnd our homeland of KenyaHeritage of splendorFirm May we stand to defend.”


THE CONFLICT REPORTER’S CHECKLISTBY: SAMMY MWAURA

The major ethnic groups of Tana River District are the Pokomo, many of whom are farmers along the Tana River, and the Orma, who are predominantly a cattle-herding nomadic people.

CHALLENGES As a journalist covering clashes between the two ethnic groups, I faced many challenges, including:

SECURITY: I have to reside in remote areas where war could erupt anytime, and at risk of being attacked by either ethnic group. Each time one group would attack the other, this endangered my life. Security officials were not readily available and the police post was far from the news sources.

The August 2012 and January 2013, Pokomo (farmers) and Ormo (Nomads) tribal clashes were the worst clashes in a long time. They More than 100 people

were left dead and thousands were rendered homeless after several attacks between the two communities.

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Author’s Bio:

“I am a radio journalist who works at Radio Salaam FM based in Mombasa. I studied a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication at Technical University of Mombasa. I have been in the media industry since 2010 and I am passionate about the girl child.”

News Source: Many news sources were not willing to be interviewed about their experiences during the attacks, except when they were accompanied by someone from their community whom they trusted e.g. Village elders.

As it was obvious we were different from the natives, we were easily mistaken for spies or informants to enemy factions and often we would become targets during attacks. Sometimes we were mistaken to be working with relief organizations and the community would expect food from us during times of insecurity.

UNWORTHY ROAD TRANSPORT: Inadequate transport would hinder our progress when covering stories because remote areas could only be reached by use of bodaboda

(motorbikes), and this would impede our mobility.

LANGUAGE BARRIER: Many of the victims of the clashes between the ethnic groups were women and children who could only speak the local language; hence a translator was often needed to help us get stories from them. Some translators demanded money from journalists yet we were working on a minimal budget.

HOSTILE COMMUNITY: Some of the news sources were very hostile because of the destruction of property and even death of friends and family that were caused by these clashes between ethnic groups. This made it all the more difficult to get willing interviewees as sources for our stories.


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Documents

kas booklet 2016 rev2 - victoriousteps.com · kas international conflict-sensitive reporting table of contents 07 acknowledgements pg 08 dedication pg 09 foreword pg 11 only peace