Reprieve Offered To Female Journalists Covering Azimio Protests

The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) on Monday, March 27 announced that it would provide assistance to female journalists across Kenya who are covering the Azimio la Umoja demonstrations.

AMWIK Executive Director, Patience Nyange in a statement seen by Viral Tea provided a means whereby those affected by incidences stemming from the protests can reach out to the association.

"Our teams are on standby to offer assistance to female journalists across the country who are covering the protests. In case of an incidence, kindly get in touch with us through 0722201958 or [email protected]," she stated in part.

Nyange further expressed grave concern about the various incidences of attacks meted out on journalists by criminal elements and the police on duty during the protests that occurred in various parts of the country.

"We strongly condemn their actions, especially the police force who are expected as part of their mandatory duty, to provide security to journalists and ensure their safety without threats and violence.

A free and objective media is an essential component of our democracy. It allows journalists to fulfil their crucial role as sources of objective and unbiased information," she added.

Nyange further termed the attacks on journalists as a violation of human rights, curtailing public access to information and leading to the erosion of press freedom.

A number of incidences of attacks meted on journalists were reported during the Azimio demos, with the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) revealing that it 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.

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)."

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