Nairobi, KENYA: Media Council of Kenya and journalists unions in the country have raised a red flag on the cases of journalists being attacked as the country gears towards August 8th polls.
In a media briefing in Nairobi, MCK chair Charles Kerich urged the Inspector General of police to move with speed and arrest police officers who assaulted Standard Goup correspondent Isaiah Gwengi based in Siaya county.
“These cases come in the wake of previous attacks on journalists in the course of duty.”Kerich said.
“We urge Inspector General of police to order urgent investigations into the matter but we demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of the said officers.” He added.
He pointed out that such move is against a free media which will deny Kenyans a free access to information and freedom, which the council condemns in the strongest terms possible .
He vowed that the council and media fraternity will ensure due process is followed and the perpetrators face full force of the law.
Reports indicate the journalist was gathering information on police abuses and harassment in Usenge, Siaya County.
Further reports indicate the journalist and the human rights defender were stripped and asked whether they were circumcised.
