National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has denied claims of blocking the media from accessing Parliament.
This is after a section of Parliamentary journalists claimed they were banned from accessing the main Parliament Buildings.
While addressing the media on Monday, Wetang’ula said the media was instead allocated a space across the Parliament Buildings.
"I have been seeing in the media, allegations that any restriction on the media coming to Parliament. Nothing is far from the truth and the testimony is that you are being here before me and that you have come to Parliament to do your work," he said.
This follows the move by Gen Z protesters to storm the Parliament Buildings during the anti-Finance Bill 2024.
"Following the extensive damage that Parliament suffered we allocated media that covers Parliament space across the road at the Red Cross building."
He, however, said that they will continue to facilitate live coverage and there will be access to Parliament materials to the media.
"We will be able to ensure the safety and security of Parliamentarians, our visitors including the media are guaranteed at all times without any inconvenience," he said.
The Speaker assured Kenyans that they will be able to stream Parliament sessions as before.
"We have a duty as Parliament to ensure that whatever we do is open to the scrutiny of Kenyans in whenever parts of the world they are through media circulation and coverage," he added.
On July 17, Wetang'ula met media stakeholders to discuss the role of the media associations in strengthening their partnership.
Wetang'ula underscored the critical role of the media in ensuring effective parliamentary work and public accountability.
"The Media is an integral stakeholder in facilitating effective delivery of Parliamentary work and in informing the public while ensuring National values on transparency and accountability are achieved," Wetang'ula said.
"The Constitution of Kenya 2010 through articles 34, 35 and 118 cements the role of the media, and cognizant to this fact."
The Parliamentary Service Commission engaged representatives from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association (KPJA).
