The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned the alleged arbitrary arrests and attacks on journalists covering Tuesday protests in Nairobi's Central Business district by armed police officers.
Expressing dismay over the incidents, MCK highlighted that journalists, who were equipped with MCK press badges and press jackets for identification, were subjected to harassment, manhandling, arrests, and assaults by security forces.
"Among those who were targeted included Joe Muhia and Iddi 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," reads the statement.
"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 (NTV ) has also been hospitalised after police aimed a canister at her as she covered the protest," it read.
The MCK emphasized that these actions undermine Kenya's constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
In response to these incidents, MCK called upon the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action to ensure the protection of journalists and to prevent further harassment in any work environment.
The Council stressed the importance of upholding press freedom and ensuring that journalists can carry out their duties without fear of reprisal.
The incidents have sparked widespread condemnation from media organisations and advocacy groups, urging authorities to uphold the rule of law and respect journalists' rights to operate freely and safely in Kenya.
The Media Council of Kenya pledged to monitor developments closely and to advocate for accountability and justice for the affected journalists while reiterating its commitment to defending press freedom and promoting responsible journalism in the country.
