Kenya observed World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2026, amidst growing concerns over journalist safety and a global decline in press freedom.

• Press freedom is at its lowest in over two decades, with over half of the world's countries categorized as having "difficult" or "very serious" press freedom environments, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
• Kenyan journalists continue to face assaults, arrests, and intimidation, with the Committee to Protect Journalists reporting 130 journalists killed in 2025 and 334 imprisoned.
• The commemoration, themed "Shaping a Future at Peace," highlights the crucial role of free, safe, and sustainable journalism in conflict prevention, informed debate, and democratic governance, as emphasized by UNESCO.