Kenyans are sharply divided over whether the media operates independently of government influence under President William Ruto’s administration, according to findings from the State of Media 2025 survey.
The national survey shows that 54 percent of respondents believe the media covers the government fairly, while 46 percent say coverage is unfair.
The survey was conducted among 3,774 respondents aged 15 years and above across all 47 counties.
It examined media consumption habits, levels of trust, and public attitudes toward the media’s handling of issues of national importance.
The findings point to a near-even split in public opinion, making government reporting one of the most contested areas of Kenyan journalism.
Compared to 2024, perceptions of media fairness improved in 2025, with the share of Kenyans who said government coverage was unfair dropping from 73.6 percent in 2024 to 46 percent in 2025, while those who viewed coverage as fair rose from 26.4 percent to 54 percent.
Despite this shift, nearly half the population remains critical, indicating that confidence in political reporting is still fragile.
Media Control and Public Distrust
Among respondents who said government coverage is unfair, several specific concerns emerged.
Thirteen percent said media reporting on the government is biased.
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Another six percent said important information is hidden, while four percent accused the media of spreading false information or propaganda.
Concerns about political pressure also featured prominently.
Seven percent of respondents said the government owns media houses, five percent believed media houses are afraid of the government, and two percent said the government can restrict the airing of media content.
These figures show that distrust is driven by both perceptions of editorial bias and fears of state influence over newsrooms.
The survey indicates that audiences closely scrutinize how sensitive government stories are handled, including corruption, accountability, and the use of public resources.
The findings also show that Kenyans continue to expect an active and assertive media.
Respondents who said the media covers the government fairly pointed to the press’s role in sharing information about public programs and government projects.
Others said the media helps citizens understand national policies and decisions that affect their daily lives.
Some also credited journalists with highlighting accountability issues and giving ordinary citizens a voice.
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However, the survey shows that trust drops sharply when audiences feel reporting lacks balance or independence.
Support for Outspoken Journalism
Across all major platforms, strong majorities said they support media outlets taking positions on matters of public interest.
On television, 80 percent of respondents said they support stations taking a stand on public issues, while 20 percent said they do not.
On radio, 79 percent supported such positions, compared with 21 percent who opposed them.
In print media, support was highest at 81 percent, with 19 percent opposed.
The survey suggests that audiences do not equate neutrality with professionalism. Instead, many expect the media to question power firmly, as long as reporting remains factual and evidence-based.
Overall trust in the media remains relatively high. In 2025, 58 percent of respondents said they have some trust in the media, while 21 percent said they have a lot of trust.
17% reported having little trust, and 4% said they have no trust at all.
When asked which media outlet they trust most, 59 percent named Royal Media Services (RMS).
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) followed at nine percent, Standard Group at eight percent, and Nation Media Group at seven percent.
Online-only news websites attracted three percent trust, while other media groups recorded smaller shares.
Respondents cited content relevance at 45 percent, timeliness of information at 33 percent, credibility and reputation at 29 percent, and professionalism at 21 percent as the main reasons for trusting a media outlet.
The survey also shows that while 34 percent of Kenyans celebrate freedom of the media and 26 percent praise the speed at which information spreads, only six percent mentioned professionalism as a key strength.
