- This is after journalists from several media houses were injured in an assault during a raid by Nacada on the night of January 5
- The drama happened at a bar in Kilimani, Nairobi. The injured journalists were taken to hospitals for medical attention
Image: MEDIA COUNCIL OF KENYA/ TWITTER
The Media Council of Kenya has moved to court to push for compensation for journalists attacked at a popular entertainment joint in Nairobi last week.
This is after journalists from several media houses were injured in an assault during a raid by the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) on the night of January 5.
The drama happened at a bar in Kilimani, Nairobi. The injured journalists were taken to hospitals for medical attention.
Some had their equipment damaged.
Speaking on Friday, MCK CEO David Omwoyo said the council had decided to move to court to seek compensation for the injuries and equipment destroyed.
This, he said, will act as a deterrent to people who have been attacking journalists and interfering with the freedom of the media.
“We are moving to court to demand compensation for the injuries of the journalists and the equipment that was destroyed. We have instructed lawyers to demand compensation for the trauma and injuries on the journalists and compensation for all the equipment destroyed,” Omwoyo said.
“While the court and government have its criminal case ongoing as the council we think that compensation for equipment and injuries is one way to stop threats and injuries against journalists and hold people accountable for threatening the work of the media and interfering with press freedom,” he added.
Omwoyo further noted that the council is concerned about the growing trend where people are taking it for granted, attacking journalists, stopping them from accessing places and destroying their equipment.
“The whole idea is if you own a premise or a space and within your space journalists or the media gets attacked you will be held responsible for compensating people for injuries, for the trauma caused and all the equipment,” the CEO noted.
Drama broke out when police officers, accompanied by journalists and NACADA officials, arrived at the bar linked to a politician at around 11 pm to arrest club managers and patrons for allegedly smoking shisha, which is banned.
And on seeing the journalists, the club's bouncers, dressed in black suits and red ties, charged at them, beating them and forcibly confiscating their recording equipment.
The journalists were injured and also lost their valuables and cash.
The court on Wednesday issued a warrant of arrest against 10 employees of the Bar and Grill accused of assaulting journalists.
The ten were not present during Wednesday's arraignment, where 11 others pleaded not guilty to the assault charges.
Appearing before Milimani Law Courts Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe, the 11 present included 10 bouncers; eight men and two ladies, and a manager.
Reacting to the incident, Defence CS Adan Duale said owners of shisha dens must face the law.
He said this is regardless of their status or political affiliation.