The media fraternity has condemned the shooting of Mediamax journalist Catherine Wanjeri who was covering demos in Nakuru on Tuesday and the abduction of veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho.
Gaitho was abducted at Karen Police Station today where he had gone to seek help after he was blocked by a private vehicle while leaving his home.
Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) President Zubeida Kananu lamented the now prevalent and evident attacks on journalists by the government.
She said the attack is an attempt to censure the Kenyan media from informing Kenyans on what is happening in the country.
“We are not criminals, our work is to inform Kenyans on what is happening. When you handcuff a journalist without telling them the reason, what really is your intention?” Kananu wondered.
Gaitho, who was later released by his abductors, rebutted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’(DCI) claim that his forceful arrest was a case of mistaken identity.
“That Francis Gaitho they say they were looking for is half my age. He doesn’t live where I do, and I believe they followed me from my home. He doesn’t drive the same car as me. They were clearly targeting me,” Gaitho stated.
He narrated how he was sandwiched between two men in civilian clothes while handcuffed and was assaulted.
The abductors demanded to know why he was resisting arrest, but he stood his ground demanding to know who the abductors were.
“They drove me down Lang’ata road up to around the turning of Lang’ata South road where they stopped, made a few calls I don’t know to who but I gathered they were talking to their superior,” he said.
The abductors later drove him back to Karen and dropped him at Shell Petrol Station located at the Karen Shopping Centre.
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The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) also condemned the shooting of Mediamax journalist who was covering demos in Nakuru on Tuesday.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo termed the incident as shameful and terrifying, calling on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to accelerate investigations and prefer charges against the officers who may have been involved.
Wanjeri was shot three times in the thigh with rubber bullets despite having a press card and jacket. She was taken to a private hospital for treatment.
Today, Nakuru journalists held protests against the shooting of their colleague, demanding the officer involved to be arrested.
Angela Quintal, head of Committee to Protect Journalist’s Africa programme in New York said Kenyan police should be focussed on ensuring the safety of journalists, not targeting them with violence or detention, and authorities should act swiftly to hold accountable those responsible.
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has placed the number of those who have reportedly been abducted by the police and reported missing since the protests began at 59, with those killed by police numbering 50.
By Obegi Malack
obegimalack @gmail.com
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