Complain about a newspaper, TV or radio story
Media Complaints Commission · sources read 5 Oct 2026
Media freedom is guaranteed, but it does not cover hate speech or incitement, and the media must respect other people's rights and reputation. If a newspaper, TV, radio or online story or journalist has wronged you, complain free of charge to the Media Complaints Commission, which can order an apology and correction.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- About 60 days to decide a matter, according to the Commission
- Deadline
- If no one challenges the decision in the High Court within 30 days, it becomes final and binding.
- Deadline
- If your complaint is dismissed, you can ask the Commission to review the decision within 14 days.
- Where
- Media Complaints Commission, Media Council of Kenya, Britam Centre, Upper Hill, Nairobi, or online at complaintscommission.or.ke
What you need
- Complaint Form 1: your details, the journalist or media house, what happened, and any documents, links or screenshots
Steps
- Lodge your complaint with the Registrar of the Complaints Commission: by speaking in person or electronically, or in writing. Say why you are complaining, the harm you suffered and what you want done.
- The Commission notifies the journalist or media house within 14 days and asks them to respond, then checks whether the complaint can be heard.
- Where there seems to be a breach, the Commission may refer you to mediation. If mediation fails or a party objects, the complaint goes to a full public hearing.
- After the hearing the Commission can order the media house to publish an apology and correction, issue a public reprimand, or publish its decision.
Watch out
- The complaint generally has to show a breach of the journalists' Code of Conduct, such as accuracy, fairness, right of reply or privacy.
- The Commission can dismiss a complaint it finds has no merit, giving reasons.
- Everyone, the media included, must respect the rights and reputation of others.
- The Complaints Commission can also fine a media house up to KSh 500,000 and a journalist up to KSh 100,000 for breaking the Act or the Code of Conduct.
Who can apply
- Anyone aggrieved by something a journalist or media house published or did, or a journalist or media house whose freedom of expression was interfered with.
Official sources (7)
- Media Council Act (Cap. 411B, No. 46 of 2013), version of 1 August 2025 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Complaints Procedure complaintscommission.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Mandate/Functions complaintscommission.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Complaints Commission FAQs complaintscommission.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Complaint Form (MCC Form 1), 2026 complaintscommission.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Complaint Form (online) complaintscommission.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026