The Media Council of Kenya has condemned attacks on journalists covering the continuing protests over the high cost of living.Â
MCK CEO David Omwoyo said in a statement on Monday that the council had received allegations of violent physical attacks on media employees.
He stated that journalists were outraged by the destruction of their equipment and material, and that others had lost goods as well.
Omwoyo stated that the attacks violate human rights and weaken press freedom.
“Police officers attacking journalists undermines press freedom, limits the public’s access to information, violates human rights and can cause physical or psychological harm,” he said.
Demonstrators targeting the media, he claims, devalue the spirit of mass action by betraying the democratic foundations upon which it is built.
He went on to say that organizing large actions that begin by targeting the media is detrimental to democratic values.
“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.”
A team of international and local journalists were accosted by a knife-wielding gang in Kibra, while covering the developments.
In Nairobi CBD, a Nation journalist was roughed up and ordered to delete photos by police officers.
In Kawangware, journalists ontop of a vehicle accompanying the Raila Odinga motorcade were sprayed with chemicals of an anti-riot water canon despite repeatedly flagging them down.
