Claims have emerged that a foreign government may be operating a surveillance effort inside Kenya, targeting journalists over their work. Radio 47 presenter Billy Miya has publicly accused the government of Tanzania, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, of attempting to track him and his co-host Mbaruk Mwalimu following their critical commentary on regional politics.
According to Billy, the alleged operation involved paying a Kenyan insider Ksh150 million to provide sensitive information, including their vehicle number plates, making it easier to monitor their movements.
He claims the situation goes beyond ordinary criticism and amounts to a coordinated attempt to intimidate journalists for doing their job.
Billy has spoken openly about the issue, stating that he and his colleague are being targeted because of how they discuss political matters on their show. He maintains that journalism should not be treated as a crime and insists that they will not be silenced.
His remarks have drawn attention across media circles, raising concerns about the safety of journalists working on sensitive regional topics.
The allegations also raise broader questions about press freedom and cross-border influence. Tanzania has, in the past, faced criticism from international observers over its treatment of journalists and restrictions on media operations.
These past concerns have made the current claims more serious in the eyes of some observers, though no independent verification has yet been provided to confirm the specific accusations made by Billy.
Equally notable is the lack of an official response from Kenyan authorities. Agencies responsible for national security and intelligence have not issued any public statement addressing the claims.
This silence has led to growing concern among media stakeholders and the public, with some calling for investigations to establish the facts and ensure that journalists are protected.
