Kenya Editors Guild President Zubeidah Kananu/FILE
The Kenya Editors’ Guild has expressed outrage at an incident on Wednesday in which a number of journalists were allegedly assaulted and obstructed by police from covering protests in Majengo area of Shauri Moyo estate, Nairobi.
The members of the Fourth Estate were documenting events as they unfolded during a clash between angry residents and police from Shauri Moyo police station, which was sparked by the shooting to death of a 17-year-old boy on Tuesday night.
In a statement, president Zubeidah Kananu called for the arrest of the officers who attacked the journalists, compensation for the destruction of their media equipment and a public apology over what she termed as "primitive attacks on journalists".
"As journalists interviewed residents to piece together what had transpired, police officers—seemingly uncomfortable with the media presence—attacked them with batons, kicks, and slaps. This latest attack is further evidence of the shrinking space for media freedom in Kenya," Kananu said.
She said the affected journalists were a camera person and reporter from NTV, a photographer from Nation and a reporter from the Star.
Kananu said the officers pursued the camera person to her car where she had sought refuge and forcibly deleted her footage and when her male colleague came to her rescue, he was beaten.
"Despite numerous engagements with authorities to foster an appreciation for journalists’ work, the police continue to either disregard their role or deliberately target, injure, and intimidate them," Kananu said.
"We strongly condemn this assault and demand that the Inspector General of Police take immediate action, including the arrest of the officers responsible. Those who attack unarmed journalists and obstruct their work must be held accountable," she added.
Kananu said no meaningful action has been taken despite numerous cases having been recorded and reported to the police.
She said the latest incident comes at a time journalists were still recovering from the trauma of last year’s incidents of police assault against media persons during the Gen Z-led protests against the impugned Finance Bill 2024.
In a statement released earlier in the day, the National Police Service through spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said that the alleged assault incident was being investigated and officers who will be found culpable will be dealt with.
"The National Police Service maintains a cordial relationship with the media and is committed to safeguarding and promoting media freedom as well as protecting journalists in Kenya. NPS wishes to reassure the public that decisive action will be taken against any officer found to have engaged in misconduct," Nyaga said.
