The personal accounts of journalists covering protests by The Star newspaper offer numerous lessons that journalists can learn from. For these photojournalists, covering protests was not just another assignment; it was a test of courage, ethics, and endurance.
In mid-2024, young Kenyans took to the streets to challenge the controversial Finance Bill, igniting a powerful wave of protests across the country. Driven by a digitally savvy, politically unaffiliated Gen Z movement, these demonstrations redefined civic engagement and inspired a new era of social action.
On July 31, 2025, The Star published a gripping story titled “Surviving protests as a frontline journalist” by Tom Jalio. It featured the experiences of photojournalists Douglas Okiddy, Leah Mukangai, and Enos Teche, three professionals who braved the chaos to document a historic moment in Kenya’s civic life.
The demos were not the usual opposition-led rallies. They were leaderless, tribeless, and partyless, yet deeply organised through platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram. For journalists, this shift demanded new ways of reporting, fresh ethical considerations, and updated safety protocols.
The Star played a frontline role in covering the protests, sending its photojournalists into volatile protest zones despite the risks. Through powerful images and firsthand reporting, the outlet captured the chaos, courage, and civic energy of the Gen Z movement, offering the public an unfiltered view of a youth uprising that shook the nation.
Okiddy, one of the photographers featured, says he begins each protest assignment with a prayer for safety. He travels light, with a camera, notebook, and water—and dresses for mobility. On the ground, he greets the police with a smile but keeps his distance from the protesters.
For Enos Teche, a veteran photojournalist, experience has taught him how to read danger. “You learn to identify plainclothes police by their stance, the way they talk into their shoulders… and you know when to exit,” he says.
But even experience doesn’t shield one from trauma. Teche recalls being beaten by police while covering the 2018 mock swearing-in of opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“That one took me long to forget,” he says, especially when the same officers who assaulted him asked him to report them to the Central police station.
The emotional toll of protest coverage is real. Journalists face not only physical danger but also psychological strain. Teche advocates for therapy and medication, noting that while costly, they are essential. “We are humans first before being journalists,” he says.
Covering protests also exposed journalists to ethical dilemmas. Being advised to side with the police for safety, while feeling compelled to stand with protesters, presents a moral crossroads.
