Journalism is not a crime, nor is it an invitation for harassment. Yet time and again, journalists covering Football Kenya Federation (FKF) matches find themselves working in hostile environments where their safety, dignity, and professional integrity are compromised by those meant to keep order.

The latest incident occurred during a Kenya Women’s Premier League (KWPL) match between Kayole Starlets and Shabana Starlets at Dandora Stadium. Yasmin, a dedicated sports photographer known professionally as The Passion Press, was subjected to blatant discrimination and unacceptable treatment by stadium security personnel.

Despite carrying proper media accreditation, wearing her press reflector, and adhering strictly to venue regulations, Yasmin was singled out. While other media colleagues were allowed to pass without hindrance, she was forced to open her camera bag and undergo targeted scrutiny. To make matters worse, stewards harassed her with dismissive comments like “Hatujui umetumwa” (“We don’t know who sent you”).

As a Muslim woman wearing a hijab, Yasmin’s experience highlights a deeply troubling intersection of gender discrimination, religious profiling, and the ongoing mistreatment of sports journalists. No professional should be made to feel humiliated, helpless, or targeted simply for who they are while trying to do their job.

While security is a necessary component of matchday operations, it must never serve as a cover for intimidation, bias, or the violation of human dignity. Security officers and stewards are deployed to safeguard the venue, not to police press freedom or harass accredited personnel.

Though the Football Kenya Federation issued a public apology acknowledging the failure of professionalism and calling on security staff to handle media respectfully, apologies alone are insufficient. Systemic issues require systemic action:

  • Mandatory Training for Match Stewards: FKF must enforce rigorous, standardized training for all venue security personnel covering non-discrimination, press protocols, and professional engagement.
  • Clear and Universal Media Protocols: Entry and search procedures for accredited media must be uniform, transparent, and applied without bias.
  • Accountability Mechanisms: Security personnel who cross the line into harassment or discrimination must face clear administrative consequences.

Journalists and sports photographers, particularly women documenting the growth of women’s football, are vital stakeholders in the game. They amplify the stories of athletes, build fan bases, and bring Kenyan sports to the world. Making them feel unwelcome, unsafe, or profiled actively harms the progress of football in the country.

We stand in unyielding solidarity with Yasmin and every journalist working under threat of intimidation or harassment. The FKF, club managers, and stadium authorities must ensure that every match venue is a safe, dignified, and professional environment for all.

Football cannot thrive in the dark, and it cannot grow by silencing or humiliating the people who tell its stories.