Kenya: Media Council of Kenya Calls Out Security Officials Making Arrests While Masquerading as Journalists

Sharon Resian/Capital FM
Business is slowly resuming back in Kenya's capital Nairobi after chaos rocked Narobi, Kisumu and Mombasa on the first and second days of the protest organised by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
20 July 2023
Capital FM (Nairobi)

Nairobi — The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has castigated members of the security agencies over incidents where they have been camouflaging as journalists covering protests with intent to arrest protesters.

MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo said the action by the police service was unprofessional misconduct as he went on to caution that if the move is not stop it will endanger the lives of journalists in the line of duty.

"Impersonation of journalists by the police is a grave unprofessional misconduct on the part of the police and endangers the lives of journalists in the line of duty," he stated.

The Council said that the work of journalists is protected under Articles 33,34 and 35 of the Constitution.

"While the Council appreciates the release of journalists who were earlier arrested while covering the protests, the detaining of journalists was unnecessary, arbitrary and ridiculous."

Read the original article on Capital FM.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2023 Capital FM. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.