By Akelo Peter Bishop
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned the harassment of journalists by police
during a security operation in Nairobi, calling for accountability and better protection of press freedoms.
In a statement issued on March 6, 2025, MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo expressed concern over multiple incidents involving journalists covering protests in Majengo, Gikomba, and Pumwani on March 5, 2025. The protests followed the alleged police shooting of two teenagers the night before.
According to MCK, several journalists were assaulted, detained, and denied access to the operation. Justine Ondieki, a photojournalist with Eastleigh Voice, was detained inside a General Service Unit (GSU) vehicle near Gikomba. Witnesses claim he was physically roughed up, and his equipment was damaged. NTV journalists Fridah Okachi, Dennis Onsongo, and Leah Wambui Kurema were also blocked from covering the operation. Their camerawoman was reportedly assaulted and forced to delete crucial footage.
Omwoyo termed the attacks on the media as a blatant violation of press freedom and urged the Inspector General of Police to take action. “The MCK calls on the Inspector General of Police to launch a thorough investigation into these incidents and ensure those responsible for the unlawful acts are held accountable,” read the statement.
MCK further stated that these acts directly contravened Article 34 of the Kenyan Constitution and the Media Council Act, 2013, which protect press freedom. The council emphasized that the role of the media is to inform the public and that such attacks interfere with the free flow of information. “The public has a right to be informed about events affecting society, and such actions hinder the process,” the statement emphasized.
The council also reaffirmed its commitment to defending media freedoms and supporting journalists facing threats in the line of duty. The council urged the National Police Service to take immediate steps to prevent future incidents and called for security agencies to respect the rights of the media. “Kenya’s democracy depends on a free press. Harassment and intimidation of journalists must not be normalized,” the statement concluded.
Comments