The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned the arbitrary arrests and attacks on journalists covering today’s protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District by security agents.
Police were also accused of using excessive force to unarmed peaceful protesttors.
At the same time, Azimio One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has heaped praise on the young generation popularly known as Gen Zs for leading anti-Finance Bill protests.
Today, peaceful Kenyans, took to the streets to protest against the proposed high taxes in Finance Bill, 2024.
Majority of the protesters were seemingly young people, carrying bottles of water, placards and phones in their hands documenting the events as they unfolded.
On the other hand, scribes who were not physically present worked behind the scenes on social media by posting images and videos of the protests in solidarity with their peers.
The attacks occurred during protests staged against the Finance Bill 2024 that seeks to raise the cost of living through heavy taxes.
Expressing dismay over the incidents, the Council said that while journalists relied on police for security in the line of duty, the security officers resorted to manhandling, harassing, arresting, and assaulting them.
MCK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Omwoyo noted that journalists were detained and arrested despite being clearly identified with MCK press badges and press jackets.
Among those targeted were Joe Muhia and Iddi Ali Juma of the Associated Press (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.” Omwoyo said.
He added that Nation Media Group’s Taifa Leo reporter Sammy Kimatu was also thrown out of a moving police Land Rover, sustaining injuries and is currently receiving treatment. Additionally, Maureen Mureithi (NTV) has been hospitalized after police aimed a canister at her while she covered the protests.
The MCK CEO argued that Tuesday’s events indicate that members of the National Police Service remain the weak link in Kenya’s quest for freedom of expression and freedom of the media as espoused in the Constitution.
He called on Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to rein in his officers, ensuring that journalists are protected and not targeted for harassment while performing their duties in any working environment.