Nation, The Star Journalists Attacked During County Govt Protests

Three journalists attached to the Nation Media Group (NMG) and The Star newspaper under Radio Africa Group were on Friday, December 23 attacked by staff attached to the office of the Kilifi Governor.

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) revealed in its statement on Saturday, December 24 that the journalists, Elias Yaa of The Star as well as Daniel Peshu and Maureen Ongala of Daily Nation were attacked while covering protests against the Kilifi County government.

MCK, while condemning the matter, called for swift investigations to be done and the perpetrators behind the incident prosecuted.

"The Media Council of Kenya has received reports of the assault of three journalists based in Kilifi County while covering a protest against the County Government on 23rd December 2022. The Council condemns the atrocious acts meted against journalists as they are a direct violation of press freedom as espoused in articles 34 and 35 of the Kenyan Constitution.

"The Council calls for swift investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators alleged to be staff attached to the Governor's office on the attacks against Mr Elias Yaa working with The Star Newspaper, Mr Daniel Peshu and Ms Maureen Ongala of Daily Nation at the Karisa Maitha grounds," the statement read in part.

The case involving the staff who were accompanying the County's Chief of Staff was reported at the Kilifi Police Station under the OB number 33/23/12/2022.

"MCK wishes to inform the perpetrators and the public that any attacks on journalists is a criminal act and is against the journalists' rights and privileges protected by law under the 2010 Kenyan Constitution and the Media Council of Kenya Act, 2013.

"On the same breath, we advise that any grievances concerning the behaviour and practice of journalists be reported to the Media Complaints Commission," added the MCK.

The media regulator further warned that in the absence of decisive action, it would seek private prosecution of those found culpable.

MCK had appealed to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Thursday, November 24 to punish the security detail attached to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's wife, Dorcas Rigathi, which was captured on camera assaulting NMG journalist Mwangi Muiruri.

The Daily Nation correspondent revealed that the officers had snatched his phone before they attacked him, despite insisting that he did not flout their orders during an event in Murang'a County where the Second Lady was scheduled to spearhead the distribution of relief food in the area hit by the effects of food shortage.

"In the process of I executing my duties of recording the event as it happened, some overzealous officers from her security detail (Dorcas Gachagua) grabbed my phone and in the process of retrieving it back, they assaulted me," Muiruri lamented.

During the incident, he lost his phone and Ksh55. On August 24, 2022, the MCK revealed 43 incidences of assault on journalists during the August 9 general elections.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) revealed on Saturday, December 10 that 67 journalists and media staff across the world were killed in the line of duty in 2022 compared to 47 in 2021. 

Daily Nation journalist Mwangi Muiruri speaking after recording a statement on Thursday, November 24, 2022. /NMG