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Meru Journalists protest K24 reporter assault by senior county officer
02nd September, 2026 12:54 PM
Journalists in Meru have protested the assault of a K24 TV reporter by a senior county government official, demanding immediate investigations and legal action against anyone found responsible.
Led by Meru Press Club chairman David Muchui, journalists on Wednesday, September 2, staged a demonstration at the Meru County Government offices to condemn what they described as a serious attack on press freedom and the right of journalists to perform their duties without intimidation or violence.
The journalists marched through the streets of Meru town carrying placards and chanting slogans in support of press freedom as they called for accountability over the assault of K24 journalist Nelson Mutwiri.
They accused a senior Meru County official of assaulting Mutwiri while he was covering the enforcement of a court order at the county government offices.
The incident, which was captured on camera, occurred about two weeks ago when a former senior county official was serving the county government with a court order seeking reinstatement to office.
According to the journalists, Mutwiri was prevented from carrying out his reporting duties while covering the proceedings surrounding the enforcement of the court order.
The journalists demanded that Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma intervene and called for the immediate investigation of the senior county official over the assault.
“This is an unacceptable and dangerous assault on press freedom, the rule of law and constitutional order because a public officer has no licence to use physical force, intimidation or government machinery to prevent journalists from doing their work,” Muchui said.
The Meru Press Club issued a seven-day ultimatum for action to be taken, warning that failure to address the matter would trigger a larger demonstration involving journalists from Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Isiolo counties.
The journalists said the planned demonstration would seek legal action against anyone found culpable, as well as accountability over the conduct of public officials.
Muchui further called for an immediate, unequivocal and public apology from the senior county official to the journalist, his media house, the wider media fraternity and the public.
Meru Press Club vice-chairperson Dorcas Mbatia also condemned the assault and called on the National Police Service, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Commission on Administrative Justice and other relevant agencies to investigate the allegations within their respective mandates.
“It is frustrating to see a whole official slapping the K24/Kameme TV correspondent live on camera and questioning him why he was entering the county government ‘bedroom’, referring to the revenue collection office. We are wondering when a public office turned into a bedroom, and we demand to know what is happening in that bedroom,” Mbatia said.
Mbatia also urged media houses to strengthen security and legal protection for journalists and correspondents as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
She said the government should prioritise the rights and safety of media workers, particularly as the country heads towards the next election.
“As we near the general election, we are urging media houses to put safety measures and legal protection in place to ensure their employees are safe and well protected as they carry out their duties,” she said.
The journalists called for respect for Articles 33, 34 and 35 of the Constitution, which provide for freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information.
They also cited Article 73, which requires State officers to exercise authority in a manner that promotes public confidence and upholds the principles of leadership and integrity, including accountability, discipline and selfless service.
The journalists said anyone found culpable should face appropriate legal and administrative action regardless of their position or political connections.
They stressed that journalists are not enemies of the government but play a constitutional and professional role in informing the public, scrutinising public institutions and holding leaders accountable.
The Meru Press Club further said complaints against journalists should be addressed through their respective media houses or the Media Council of Kenya Complaints Commission rather than through threats, intimidation or violence.
“An assault on one journalist is an assault on all,” the journalists said.
They further raised concern over the reported abduction of Standard Group associate editor Alex Kiprotich, who was abducted by an armed gang along the Gilgil-Nakuru road before being found safe near Masinga Dam about nine hours later.
The journalists called on the Media Council of Kenya and other relevant authorities to investigate the incident and take legal action against anyone found responsible.
They said public institutions should guarantee journalists safe and unhindered access when covering matters of public interest and county government operations.
The Meru Press Club said it would continue to stand with Mutwiri and other journalists facing threats or intimidation while carrying out their professional duties.
