By Wilfridah Murenga
The Media Council of Kenya has strongly condemned the arbitrary arrests and attacks on journalists by armed police officers as they were covering the protests in the city.
The Council expressed dismay at the behaviour of security officers who, instead of ensuring the safety of journalists, resorted to manhandling, harassing, arresting, and even assaulting them, even though journalists could be identified with MCK press badges and press jackets.
“The Council is dismayed that while journalists were relying on police to provide them with security in the line of duty, the security officers resorted to manhandling, harassing, arresting, and assaulting them. This is despite the fact that the journalists were well identified with MCK press badges and press jackets,” read the MCK statement.
Among the journalists who fell victim to these unwarranted attacks are Joe Muhia and Iddi Ali Juma of AP who were arrested and later released after being assaulted.
Justice Mwangi Macharia, a video editor from Standard Group, was also forcefully taken out of a moving police vehicle, resulting in physical injuries.
Similarly, Sammy Kimatu, a reporter from Nation Media Group’s Taifa Leo, was thrown out of a moving police Land Rover, sustaining injuries and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Additionally, Maureen Murethi from NTV has been hospitalized after being targeted by the police with a canister while she was covering the protests.
According to the MCK CEO, David Omwoyo, these regrettable incidents are a stark reminder that the National Police Service continues to be a weak link in upholding Kenya’s constitutionally enshrined freedoms of expression and the media.
“Today’s unfortunate events remind us that members of the National Police Service remain the weak link in Kenya’s quest for freedom of expression and freedom of the media as espoused in our Constitution,” stated Mr. Omwayo.
The Media Council of Kenya has called on the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to control his officers and to ensure that journalists are safeguarded and not subjected to harassment while carrying out their duties.