By KPC Reporter
Veteran journalist David Makali has received the Freedom Warrior Award from the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), recognising decades of courage in defending press freedom in Kenya.
The award, presented during the 8th Annual Editors Convention in Kilifi recently, was delivered to Makali at his Bungoma home by his son John, who had earlier collected it from the Guild’s Nairobi office on his behalf.
Also Read
In its citation, the Editors Guild described the honour as one reserved for exceptional bravery.
“The Freedom Warrior Award honours extraordinary bravery. It recognises those who have stood firm in the face of intimidation, censorship, threats, or violence,” the citation reads.
“These individuals embody the very spirit of press freedom, reminding us that democracy thrives only when truth can be spoken without fear.”
A seasoned editor, columnist and political analyst, Makali has worked across major Kenyan media houses and previously served as director of the Media Institute and editor of Expression Today.
He also became a familiar face on television through political commentary and talk shows, shaping national discourse.
In 1999, Makali was abducted and tortured after publishing a story linking powerful figures to drug trafficking.
He was also arrested in 2003 over a controversial publication, highlighting the dangers journalists faced in pushing for accountability.
More recently, he has spoken about surviving near-fatal attacks during the KANU era due to his reporting.
The Guild, a key body representing senior editors and newsroom leaders and a member of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), plays a central role in promoting ethical journalism and press freedom in the country.
