Matiang'i Raid: Martha Karua Casts Doubts On Media Council
The seasoned politician opined that MCK, an independent national institution established by...
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Azimio la Umoja principal, Martha Karua, on Thursday, February 16 posed a short question with regards to the credibility of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) after former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang'i's Karen residence was raided twice in a week.
The seasoned politician opined that MCK, an independent national institution established by the Media Council Act, 2013 for the purposes of setting media standards and ensuring compliance with those standards as envisaged under Article 34(5) of the Constitution, is a surrogate of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
A surrogate is a substitute, especially a person deputizing for another in a specific role or office.
CEO David Omwoyo during a meeting convened by the Media Council of Kenya to review its Strategic Plan in Kwale on January 12, 2023. /MCK
“Is the media council a surrogate of DCI?” Karua posed on Twitter.
MCK had on Saturday, February 11 written to several media houses requesting information around coverage of the alleged raid by police and other law enforcement agencies that happened on Wednesday night, February 8.
The media regulator revealed that it was carrying out its monitoring function on the evening of February 8 when it stumbled upon live coverage of the police raid which immediately grabbed the attention of members of the public.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo thus wrote to media houses including the Royal Media Services (RMS), Nation Media Group (NMG) and Standard Media Group (SMG) among others requesting to be provided with video evidence of the raid as well as the names of reporters and editors sent to Matiang'i's Karen home.
"While carrying out our monitoring function on the evening of February 8, 2023, the Media Council came across your station's coverage of the police raid. We request you to provide the Council with actual footage collected by your crew at the scene and the identity of the editors/reporters who were sent there," the letter by Omwoyo read in part.
The MCK further noted the limited or non-availability of photographs or videos from the alleged police raid and was concerned by the denial of such a raid by the government agencies alleged to have been involved, which it added presents a serious moral and ethical dilemma for the media.
It further expressed concern regarding the media refusing to provide it with the said footage from an event which triggered all manner of conversation, including within political circles.
"The Council is concerned by the refusal by the media to provide actual footage or photos from such a highly- publicised event yet they were at the scene. Providing this information will clarify the matter to the public.
"Providing only statements by lawyers and allies of Dr Matiang'i on one side and denials by government officials the next day creates confusion as to who is speaking the truth. The situation may cause unnecessary tension between the media and the government and anxiety and confusion among Kenyans," warned MCK.
The Council further announced that it will decide the next course of action after the media houses respond to the information request.
The media was mentioned during the release of the findings of the investigations carried out on the alleged police raid by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss, Mohamed Amin, when it was alerted by Raila's team on the raid on Matiang'i's house.
Exactly a week later, the media was the first to alert the public when police raided Matiang'i's home again on Wednesday, February 15, this time during the late afternoon hours. This is despite the DCI obtaining search orders to obtain CCTV recordings from the premises.
Lawyer Dunstan Omari at ex-CS Fred Matiang'i's home on February 15, 2023. /CITIZEN TV
