The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned the attacks against journalists who had accompanied officers from the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) during a raid at a popular club in Kilimani ,Nairobi.
In a statement on January 6, MCK said journalists’ rights must be respected at all times.
The Council’s CEO David Omwoyo accused the security guards of interfering with the role of the media to keep the country informed on matters of public interest.
“By targeting journalists who were only performing their duties, the attackers were clearly seeking to interfere with the media’s right to inform Kenyans on matters of importance that affect their lives,” said Omwoyo.
Besides, MCK demanded that the club and the bouncers should be held responsible for the damages incurred during the ordeal.
“While commending the police for their swift action in apprehending the perpetrators, the Council demands fair compensation for the injured journalists and the replacement of all the destroyed media equipment by the proprietor of the club and the individual perpetrators,” read the statement in parts.
Further, the Commission urged the Inspector General of the Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure the perpetrators are taken to court and justice is served.
NACADA Statement
Prior to the statement by the MCK, NACADA announced that the club bouncers had been arrested.
In a statement on Saturday, the authority confirmed that the two were set for appearance in Court to face criminal charges relating to the assault on the journalists.
“Because of this, criminal charges against the offenders have commenced and they will be arraigned in court to answer to various charges related to the assault,” said the Authority.
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Additionally, NACADA stated that some journalists were injured during the incident and their equipment confiscated.
“In an unfortunate and. unprecedented turn of events, the security team at the club resorted to violence and in the process seriously injured journalists and police officers conducting the operation, “added the statement.
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Injured Journalists
Reports showed that three journalists sustained injuries and were admitted at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
This includes Boniface Bogita of the Nation Media Group who was stabbed twice in the ribs, Jane Kibira of KBC who was stabbed in the back and Standard Group’s Boniface Okende who was wounded by the bouncers.
