The Media Council of Kenya has moved to court seeking compensation for journalists attacked by security guards at the Kettle House bar in Nairobi as well as for equipment destroyed. This was during an operation by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
“This time we are going a step forward and issuing more than just a press statement. We are moving to court. If you own a premise or a space and within your space, journalists or the media get attacked, you will be held responsible for compensating people for injuries and trauma caused and all the equipment,” MCK CEO David Omwoyo stated.
“We are getting into spaces where people are taking it for granted, attacking journalists, stopping them from accessing places, destroying their equipment, cameras and so on. We have instructed our lawyers to demand compensation for the trauma and injuries on the journalists,” he added.
He condemned the incident, terming it as interference of press freedom and threatening journalists. He further asserted that those involved in such activities against members of the Fourth Estate would be held accountable.
Journalists from different media stations including Nation Media and KBC were attacked on Friday night while covering an operation by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) to enforce a crackdown on the outlawed shisha.
It is reported that club bouncers assaulted 4 journalists and 4 NACADA officers, damaging their equipment and leaving two with stab wounds.
The operation was specifically targeted at the establishment due to reports of it allowing patrons to smoke shisha within the club, which has ties to politician Millicent Omanga.
Police eventually restored order and arrested 21 persons involved.