Raila Protests: MCK's Statement After Attack On Citizen TV, NTV Journalists

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned a series of attacks on journalists attached to local and international media houses who were deployed to cover the Azimio la Umoja protests on Monday, March 27.

MCK CEO David Omwoyo revealed in a statement that the media regulator had received reports of violent physical attacks on media personnel, including the destruction of their equipment and information collated, with some journalists also reporting losing their valuables.

It had accused a section of police officers of also attacking journalists, a move which threatened freedom of the press, and that law enforcement agencies should be held responsible for any actions violating their rights.

A rear view window damaged from an attack on an NTV vehicle in Ruiru on March 27, 2023. /NTV

"Reports of journalists being attacked by goons participating in the demos and by law enforcement officers who are supposed to provide security cannot be tolerated. Police officers attacking journalists undermines press freedom, limits the public's access to information, violates human rights and can cause physical or psychological harm.

"It is essential that journalists are able to carry out their work without fear of violence or harassment, and that law enforcement agencies are held accountable for any actions that violate their rights or impede their ability to report on events," stated Omwoyo in part.

MCK also pointed a finger at protesters targeting their attacks on the media, a matter which demeans the spirit of mass action as it betrays the foundations of democracy on which it is founded.

It also recognised the vital role of journalists in providing truthful information to members of the public in real time.

"Organising mass action which starts by attacking the media is defeatist and dangerous to democratic values. Journalists play a vital role in providing accurate and timely information to the public, and attacks on them while carrying out their duties are unacceptable.

"The freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy, and any attempt to intimidate or harm journalists is a direct assault on this fundamental right. Attacks on journalists during demonstrations are a serious concern and must be condemned by all those who value press freedom and democracy," added the statement.

The Council further revealed that it is monitoring and will work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those responsible for the attacks are held accountable for their actions, and for measures to be taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

MCK commended and declared that it will stand in solidarity with all journalists who put themselves at risk to report on events and keep the public informed, and reiterated its commitment to fiercely defend the freedom of the press.

It encouraged anyone aggrieved by the media to report any complaints to the Media Complaints Commission which is legally mandated to mediate on the same instead of taking the law into their own hands.

A section of Citizen TV journalists was attacked as well as those from NTV in the middle of running battles between police and protesters spread out across Nairobi while two from Africa Uncensored were arrested and set free.

Citizen TV senior reporter Seth Olale revealed that he was among a team of journalists from local and international media who were attacked and robbed by a knife-wielding gang in Kibra, Nairobi.

The journalist tweeted "We have been attacked" while adding that a reporter from the Royal Media Services (RMS) was beaten up.

Moreover, a press vehicle belonging to RMS was pelted with stones from protesters who wanted to fight off police in their bid to march to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), an exchange which ended up damaging the vehicle's windscreen.

Meanwhile, in similar police and protestor battles in Mathare, John-Allan Namu revealed that two journalists attached to his media house, Africa Uncensored, were arrested while covering the protests but were freed hours later after intervention by Allan Namu and Citizen TV's Hassan Mugambi.

Two NTV journalists covering two separate incidences were attacked and their cars were vandalised. One was attacked while covering the Northlands invasion in Ruiru and had to flee the scene to safer grounds when the car they were driving in had its backseat window broken with a stone.

The other was attacked in Kawangware following the convoy of Azimio One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga was teargassed with the press vehicle’s driver slightly injured. The car's rearview window was also broken.

Other incidents:

1. An NTV journalist reported being asked by police in the Nairobi city centre to delete photos from her phone. When the reporter explained that she was with the media and presented a press card as proof, the officer grabbed the card and destroyed it.
2. Another NTV reporter ran into trouble with police officers at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) after they said they did not want the media around. The reporter quickly walked away before the situation could escalate.
3. In Kibra, a Nation.Africa journalist reported seeing a female Asian reporter being attacked by goons. They took her camera, phone and passport, among other valuables. It's not clear which media house the reporter is affiliated with.

4. Unlike on Monday, March 20 when police would ask journalists to move away when they were about to lob tear gas, in Kawangware, police hurled tear gas directly at journalists. Nation reporter Jackline Macharia, reported that "Even when we identified ourselves as press, they still went ahead and hurled tear gas at us."

5. Separately, on Processional Way, NTV reporter Hellen Aura reported witnessing hostility from security agents, adding that a police officer told her: "Hata kama sijawahai tumia fujo kwa wanawake, leo nitatumia na wewe (I've never used force on a woman but today I'll use it against you)."

Scene after an RMS vehicle was damaged during protests in Kibra on March 27, 2023. /TWITTER