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Kenyan journalists working for international media organizations such as the Associated Press, Reuters, and BBC Africa have petitioned Parliament seeking an investigation into alleged labour exploitation, discrimination, and violation of their workplace rights.
The concerns were presented to a parliamentary committee through Funyula Member of Parliament Dr Wilberforce Oundo, who read the statement on behalf of the journalists.
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The group accuses international media houses operating in Kenya of unfair pay disparities, alleging that Kenyan freelancers are paid as little as $150 for assignments, while some white freelancers reportedly earn up to $1,500 for similar work.
They further claim that full-time Kenyan staff are paid about $1,500 monthly, while foreign journalists in comparable roles earn as much as $10,000 per month, raising concerns over racial and pay inequality within the industry.
The journalists also allege that some international media organisations prefer hiring foreign correspondents instead of employing qualified Kenyan professionals for similar positions based in the country.
Kenya currently hosts a significant number of foreign correspondents, making it one of the largest hubs for international media coverage in Africa, partly due to stricter regulations in other countries that limit freelance work by foreigners.
The petition further claims that journalists who raise concerns about pay disparities or discrimination face retaliation, including alleged blacklisting by bureau chiefs, effectively limiting their career opportunities within the industry.
The matter is now expected to be reviewed by the parliamentary committee, which will determine whether an official inquiry into the allegations will be launched.
