Journalists in Kiambu county have demanded that the police who were allegedly involved in the shooting of their colleague in Nakuru protests be apprehended and charged in a court of law.
On Wednesday the scribes staged a peaceful demonstration in Kiambu town where they condemned the shooting of their colleague while in line of their duty.
"We hereby unequivocally demand that the officer or officers involved be arrested and prosecuted for attempted murder," Jemimah Nyambura Coro FM reporter said.
The demonstration was triggered after Nakuru-based journalist Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki of Mediamax was on Tuesday allegedly shot while covering the anti-government protestst in the county.
"It is worth noting that Ms Wanjeri was donning the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) press jacket which is visible when she was shot twice in the thigh, which raises questions on whether the shooter was hell-bent on harming the journalist intentionally," Nyambura said.
Charles Gikunga, a reporter with Royal Media Services (RMS) said that the Media Council of Kenya, the Kenya Union Of Journalists among other unions which represent journalists must demand justice for their colleagues and not only issue statements.
"We do not want statements issued, we demand that they come out and demand justice and action taken on perpetrators of journalists' injustice," Gikunga said.
"We do not want to see the transfer of the police officer who shot our colleague but we want him arrested and taken to court as we cover the police officer."
"We hereby unequivocally demand that the officer or officers involved be arrested and prosecuted for attempted murder."
The journalists' statement further read that Ms Wanjeri's case is not the only one where policemen have displayed utter disregard for the law by attacking journalists while on duty.
They urged the Independent Police Oversight Authority to move with speed and rein in the rogue policeman involved in the unfortunate shooting.
The journalists also called on media organisations in Kenya, Africa and the world to act in solidarity and call out police who shoot their colleagues and demand justice for all media persons assaulted, arrested or otherwise denied their freedom to discharge duty.
"The government of Kenya should also ensure the safety of journalists in accordance with the Constitution and international conventions," the statement reads.