Police officers in Imenti South Sub-county in Meru County have arrested a head teacher who assaulted two journalists covering the alleged torture and mistreatment of learners in his institution.
The head teacher also damaged property, including a camera stand and microphones, worth approximately KSh 30,000 during the confrontation, which occurred outside the school compound.
Buuri-E-Kingori Primary School head teacher, Mugambi Nguthari, was apprehended when he visited the Nkubu police station to record a statement regarding the incident.
Area police boss Abdirahman Musa led the operation to apprehend the teacher, who is currently being held at Nkubu police station, as investigations continue.
The two journalists had responded to the parents’ distress calls, which alleged that their children were being subjected to mistreatment and torture by the head teacher.
Imenti Press Club Secretary General Mawira Murori strongly condemned the unfortunate incident.
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“We strongly condemn the unfortunate and unlawful assault of two of our members, Festus Mwiti ( Nyambene TV) and Clinton Koome (Mwangaza TV), by the head teacher of Buuri-E-Kingori primary school in Ukuu, Imenti South. The incident occurred as our journalists were outside the school premises, documenting and recording grievances raised by concerned parents. The parents alleged that their children were being subjected to mistreatment and torture by the head teacher,” said Murori.
He said in the course of their professional duty, the two journalists were physically assaulted, their camera stand damaged, and their microphone destroyed.
“This blatant attack on the freedom of the press is not only unacceptable but also a direct violation of the rights of media practitioners and the public’s right to information,” said Murori.
He stated that a formal report had been filed at Nkubu Police Station before the arrest and expressed optimism that justice would prevail.
Murori called on the education department to initiate immediate and appropriate disciplinary action against the head teacher to curb such behaviour.
He said such behaviour should not be tolerated within any learning institution.
By John Majau
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