By Betty Luke
Journalists working in Isiolo have protested continued police brutality and repeated attacks on the media freedom during the anti-government protests.
Under the Isiolo Press Club (IPC) umbrella, the journalists called on police officers to act professionally and cease from attacking unarmed scribes out to perform their duty of informing the public.
“The law is very clear that police can use force when their life and that of Kenyans is threatened. What threat does a journalist with a camera and recorder pose to attract firing bullets on them?” wondered Ms Hadija Liban.
IPC Chairperson Waweru Wairimu wondered why security officers were targeting journalists who were easily identifiable through their branded attire and badges, saying it demonstrated a high level of impunity against freedom of the media.
“You cannot pretend that you did not know they were journalists yet they had badges and jackets marked as Press. We call for through investigations into incidents of brutality against journalists covering protests,” he said.
Wanjumbi Kamachu called on the investigating agencies to probe the reported incidents including those filmed on camera and ensure those culpable face the law.
He said just as police have been arresting goons disguised as protestors, they should direct same energy to their colleagues who attack journalists and unarmed demonstrators.
His sentiments were echoed by Daniel Kalung’e and Jackline Mung’athia who stressed on the need for the state to ensure strict adherence to the constitution especially on freedom of the media and access to information.
The journalists also demanded unrestricted access to information, end to media censorship and an assurance of their safety by the government.
Kenya Editors Guild and the Kenya Union of Journalists also marched to the Inspector General of Police office to present their demands including a detailed investigation into the attacks of journalists and subsequent arrest of those responsible.
The protests come after tens of incidents of police brutality against journalists were reported during the protests where 50 people lost their lives and hundreds were maimed.
