Nation Media Group (NMG) has found itself at the center of a storm following an assault on one of its journalists, Mwangi Muiruri, at the Nairobi-Nyeri-Embu roads junction.
In response to this incident, the media company has made a resolute stand, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity.
The organization has reaffirmed the authenticity of its reporting, including quotes attributed to Mr. Kuria, emphasizing the crucial role of factual and transparent journalism in upholding credibility within the industry.
The media organization in a report published on March 21, 2024, said, “Nation stands by the facts of its story, including quotes that were attributed to Mr. Kuria.”
Details of the Journalist assault
At 5:30 am, Friday, March 15, 2024, Mr. Muiruri was accosted by three men in blue suits driving a Mazda Demio car with soiled number plates at the junction of Nairobi-Nyeri-Embu roads.
During the encounter, his mobile phone and Ksh2,000 cash were forcibly taken away from him at gunpoint.
The three men, one of whom was armed with a pistol, left after demanding passwords to the journalist’s phone.
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They reportedly verified Muiruri’s physical identity using a passport-sized photo which was already on one of the attacker’s phones.
The Friday morning attack occurred shortly after Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria refuted on his official X account confirming to Muiruri the appointment of former journalist Jacquie Maribe as Communications Director in his ministry.
Moses Kuria faults the Nation Media Group Journalist
Mr. Kuria accused Mr. Muiruri of fabricating the story, stating that an SMS he allegedly sent to the Nation journalist did not come from his phone.
“Contrary to reports by the Nation, I have never been interviewed by the media House nor made any comment nor announcement about Jacque Maribe.”
“The said screenshot is a forgery, and I will be at DCI Headquarters at 9.30am tomorrow to report the Nation Media Group and the reporter of fraud and forgery,” Kuria said in a post on his X account on Thursday, March 14.
However, it remains unclear whether or not he followed through with the statements on his post and made any report to the DCI regarding the claims.
The assault on Muiruri not only highlights the physical risks journalists face while carrying out their duties but also underscores the broader challenges to press freedom and journalist safety.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers experienced in the profession and the importance of supporting journalists in their crucial role as watchdogs of society.
DCI launches probe into the matter
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) swiftly taking charge of the investigation into Muiruri’s assault demonstrates the gravity of the situation and the commitment of law enforcement to uphold press freedom and ensure the safety of media professionals.
We have detailed a team of officers to crack the incident. It was a rare attack that involved use of a firearm.”
“We are using all capabilities at our disposal to identify the car and its occupants,” the Mwea sub-County Police Boss Mr. Chrispinus Omongini told Mr. Muiruri regarding the ongoing investigation.
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Also, Mr. Omongini said security officers are pursuing crucial leads captured in the statement that Mr. Muiruri recorded at the Makutano Police Station under Occurrence Book (OB) number 06/15/03/24.
The officer leading the investigations, Mr. Polycarp Lyatema, said the officers are relying on highway patrol unit infrastructure as well as possibility of nearby petrol station CCTV cameras to get leads on the vehicle number plates and identity of its occupants.
Among details submitted to the investigators are two numbers that had called Mr. Muiruri hours earlier and suspected to have been used to get coordinates of where he was for the trailing and attack to be executed.
This proactive response underscores the seriousness with which such incidents are treated and the determination to bring those responsible to justice.
