Karua criticises police meeting with media amid ongoing brutality concerns

NARC Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua dismissed the significance of a meeting between senior media representatives and the police held on August 14, following complaints from journalists about police brutality.

Karua. on Thursday, highlighted the ongoing challenge of obtaining justice for victims of police violence, particularly in the wake of the deadly anti-government protests. She further expressed concern over the lack of accountability for the officers responsible for the brutality.

Questioning the priorities of the police, Karua wondered why the focus was on convening with media leaders rather than identifying and addressing the officers who had attacked journalists during their coverage of the protests.

"Just having a meeting between police and journalists is not enough. It is important to ensure that those who shot and assaulted journalists on duty are identified and charged in court," said Karua.

The politician, who is a principal in the Azimio La Umoja Coalition, decried how the government has continued to use force to silence dissent despite court orders and rulings against such actions.

"This is a government that has put the Constitution and rule of law aside and is doing as it wishes to its innocent citizens," Karua added.

Ag. Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, the President of Kenya Editors Guild Zubeida Kananu, DCI boss Mohamed Amin and veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho at a consultative meeting held at Jogoo House, on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. (Photo: NPS)

During anti-government protests, police used tear gas and batons to injure several journalists. Other journalists sustained gun injuries.

Following the developments, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, led a consultative meeting between the top leadership of the National Police Service and news editors from mainstream media houses. Zubeida Kananu, President of the Kenya Editors Guild, and Eric Oduor, Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Journalists, also attended.

The police reported that the discussion focused on ways to improve police-media relations through collaboration, joint training, and professional ethics.

In the meeting, there were also Royal Media Services' representatives Linus Kaikai and Kimeli Arap Kemei, NTV Head of News Dan Mwangi, Capital FM's Benard Momanyi, Paul Ilado (Radio Africa), and veteran journalists Macharia Gaitho, Chris Oyuga (People Daily), Millicent Awuor (KBC) and Victor Bwire from the Media Council of Kenya.

Other senior police officers present included DIG-Kenya Police, Eliud Lagat, Director of Criminal Investigation, DCI Mohamed Amin and Nairobi Regional Police Commander, Adamson Bungei.