The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned the attack on journalists by plainclothes policemen attached to the office of Kenya’s second lady Dorcas Gachagua which took place on November 24, 2022, in Muranga County.
In a statement shared on Saturday, December, 24, MCK termed the incident as regrettable and urged the Independent Police Oversight Authority(IPOA) to probe the matter and identify, publicly name and take appropriate action against the officers.
The council says the Nation Media Group journalist identified as Mwangi Muiruri, posed no danger to anyone.
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"The Media Council of Kenya condemns the attack against a Nation Media Group journalist Mr Mwangi Muiruri, by plainclothes policemen attached to the office of Kenya’s second lady on November 24, 2022, in Muranga County.
"It is regrettable that despite clearly displaying his media badge, and following all instructions given by security officers, the journalist was physically assaulted and verbally abused yet he posed no danger to anyone," the statement reads in parts.
Journalists' freedom
MCK says IPOA should investigate the matter to protect the freedom of the press.
"This is shameful, regrettable, and worrying. The Media Council of Kenya urges the Independent Police Oversight Authority to identify, publicly name and take appropriate action against the officers involved to not only protect press freedom but also guard against impunity by those acting under the false guise of anonymity," the statement further reads.
The council questions the emerging trend where officers in plain clothes attack journalists saying it is a contravention of known laws and norms.
There is an emerging trend where policemen in plain clothes guarding senior government officials act with impunity and attack journalists in contravention of known laws and norms.
