MCK condemns police attack on journalists covering Finance Bill protests
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has strongly condemned the attacks meted out to journalists by police during the Finance Bill demonstrations in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
In a statement, the council expressed dismay that the police officers supposed to offer security to the scribes were instead fighting and harassing them even though they were appropriately identified with press jackets and press badges.
A section of journalists drawn from media houses such as Standard Group, AP, and Nation Media were among those affected by police behaviour during the protests in Nairobi.
During the incident, three journalists were injured and are currently receiving treatment at different medical facilities.
“Among those who were targeted included Joe Muhia and Idii Ali Juma of AP who were arrested and later released after being assaulted. In an incident captured on video, Standard Group video editor Justice Mwangi Macharia was arrested and violently hauled out of a moving police motor vehicle, sustaining physical injuries,
“Nation Media Group’s Taifa Leo reporter Sammy Kimatu was also thrown out of a moving police Land Rover sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment. Maureen Murethi 9NTV) has also been hospitalised after police aimed a canister at her as she covered the protests,” the statement reads in parts.
The media council has subsequently asked the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to rein on his officers to ensure that journalists are not subjected to harassment by police.
“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,” MCK added.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police to rein in on his officers by ensuring that journalists are protected and not targeted for harassment while performing their duties in any working environment,” the statement reads in parts.
Before you go…how about joining our vibrant Telegram and WhatsApp channels for hotter stories?
Telegram: https://t.me/k24tvdigital
WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKQnFUIXnljs50pC32O
