SECTOR 1

Kenya is party to a number of international agreements including:
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UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, Protocol on
Management of Information and Communication (2006), whose objectives
include the promotion of freedom of opinion and expression; freedom of
media to receive and impart information and ideas, foster the emergence of
independent and responsible media by promoting media regulation and self
regulation bodies etc.
African (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights (1981)
Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa (2002)
African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007)
Declaration on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 2001.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator.

3

Country meets many aspects of indicator but
progress may be too recent to judge.

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has
been doing so over time.

Average score: 			

1.5 (2005=n/a; 2007=n/a)

1.5
Print publications are not required to obtain
permission to publish from state authorities.
Analysis
Print publications require permission to publish by way of registration. Under the
Books and Newspaper Act (chapter 111), a publisher is supposed to sign a bond
of Kshs. 1 million.
Part 111 No. 10 of the Act reads:
“No person shall print any newspaper in Kenya, and no person shall publish
any newspaper printed in Kenya, unless there is in force, executed, registered
and delivered by him to the Registrar as herein provided, a bond in the
prescribed form in the sum of one million shillings, with one or more sureties
as may be required and approved by the Registrar, as security for or towards

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2009

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