More than half of Kenyan journalists earn less than Sh50,000 a month, according to a survey by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK). The Standard reported that 52 per cent fall below that level. The average monthly salary is Sh63,000. The report, titled The Pain Behind the Byline: State of Welfare and Social Protection for Journalists in Kenya, was unveiled on Friday at a one-day media conference. Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya gave the keynote address, The Eastleigh Voice reported.
The Standard said the survey sampled 120 journalists across different ranks and media houses. Of these, 55 per cent work as correspondents, freelancers or contributors without permanent employment. Some 48 per cent had not had a salary review in more than three years. Another 82 per cent received no allowances or bonuses. Journalists work an average of 8.5 hours a day. More than 65 per cent reported heavier workloads over the past five years with no matching rise in pay.
The report also looked at mental health. According to The Eastleigh Voice, 65 per cent of respondents showed moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and 25 per cent fell in the severe category. Some 80 per cent said the symptoms affected their daily work, but only 25 per cent had sought professional help. The assessment used the PHQ-9 screening tool and was not a clinical diagnosis. Lower pay was linked to more severe symptoms. Among freelancers, 72 per cent were in the moderately severe or severe categories, compared with 33.4 per cent of permanent employees.
The report found wide gaps in benefits. Employer medical insurance covers 93 per cent of permanent employees but only 17 per cent of non-permanent workers. Among unionised journalists, 49 per cent earn more than Sh100,000 a month, against 13 per cent of non-unionised ones. More than a quarter said they cannot afford lunch, and 91.7 per cent do not own homes. Only 40 per cent receive employer-matched pension contributions.
KUJ Secretary-General Eric Oduor said poor pay was hurting journalists' ability to do their work. "We cannot expect a journalist who is not properly remunerated to play the watchdog role, speak truth to power and serve the common good of the society," he said. He called for the findings to shape talks on better working conditions.
The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) said it would help KUJ and the media industry set up a Press Pension Scheme for non-permanent journalists. RBA Chief Executive Charles Machira urged journalists to start saving early, whatever they earn. The survey also found that 89 per cent of respondents are looking for jobs elsewhere. One in three plans to leave journalism at the earliest opportunity.