"Terrifying and shameful!" Media Council expresses outrage over shooting of journalist

The Media Council of Kenya has expressed its outrage over the brutal attack on journalists by police officers while covering the anti-government protests.

This is after Mediamax journalist Catherine Wanjeri was shot by police on Tuesday along Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru's Central Business District, despite her wearing an identifiable press jacket.

Media Council CEO David Omwoyo termed the incident as shameful and terrifying.

"Once again, members of the National Police Service have attacked journalists going about their work, despite being well-identified and visibly branded. The shooting of Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki, a journalist attached to Kameme TV, while in the company of other journalists and the police is shameful and terrifying," he said.

Omwoyo commended Nakuru-based journalists for taking swift action to save Wanjeri's life.

The Media Council CEO said that the act leaves little doubt the police have zero respect for the freedom of the press and called on watchdog agencies to probe the incident and arrest the assailants.

"To bring an end to this impunity, we call on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conclude investigations and bring the police terrorising journalists to justice," he said.

Omwoyo stated that journalists are among the guardians of our democracy, and their reporting on civil unrest over inequities in government is part of their role of informing the public and holding powerful institutions accountable.

AMWIK condemns shooting of Mediamax journalist Catherine Wanjeri in Nakuru and terms the incident as a blatant assault on press freedom. pic.twitter.com/ZwFUarz5iI

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 16, 2024

Wanjeri is currently receiving treatment for the gunshot wounds at a hospital in Nakuru.

Respect for media

In addition, MCK urged law enforcement agencies to respect the media and ensure the safety of journalists at all times.

Omwoyo advised press members to prioritise their safety, uphold professionalism and take all necessary precautions while working in hostile environments.

At the same time, The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) issued a seven-day ultimatum to IPOA to investigate and prosecute the police officer who allegedly shot Wanjeri.

While condemning the act, KUJ Secretary General Erick Oduor noted that such barbaric acts have no place in a democratic society like Kenya, where journalists are required to play the watchdog role and source credible information to citizens.

"We demand action against the trigger-happy police officer who targeted journalists who had been deployed by media houses to inform Kenyans. IPOA must investigate the officer involved and the source of orders to shoot journalists within seven days and prosecute the suspect," Oduor said.

Oduor further warned that failure to take action would result in the KUJ initiating private prosecution against the officer and the commander overseeing the Nakuru operation.

Kenya Editors' Guild (KEG) equally condemned the continued, targeted, and brazen attacks on journalists covering protests.

KEG President Zubeida Kananu termed the attacks on journalists as the ugly face of police impunity.

She mentioned the Wanjeri’s shooting and CNN photojournalist Fabien Muhire who was sprayed by police as he carried out his work in the CBD, covering the demos.

“We condemn the reckless use of live ammunition or any harmful projectiles and sprays aimed at journalists and unarmed protesters by security agencies,” Kananu added.

They called for a speedy investigation of the attacks on Kariuki and Fabien to bring the rogue culprits to justice within the police.

“We condemn the harassment of journalists covering the protests. We have, over and over again, witnessed police attack journalists with teargas canisters and dangerous chemicals and the destruction of equipment,” Kananu added.

The Nakuru Journalists Association also condemned the act and demanded the government and police to take immediate action against the rogue officers involved.

"We will not relent in our pursuit of justice. We extend our deepest appreciation to the good Samaritan who acted swiftly to take Catherine to the hospital. We are currently at Valley Hospital, awaiting further checkups and a briefing from the doctors on the state of Catherine," the Association said.