KUJ gives IPOA seven days to probe shooting of Mediamax journalist

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate and prosecute the police officer who allegedly shot Mediamax journalist Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki.

Wanjeri, who reports for Mediamax's vernacular station, Kameme TV, was shot on Tuesday along Kenyatta Avenue, in Nakuru, while covering the youth-led anti-government protests. This is despite her wearing an identifiable press jacket.

Videos and photos taken at the scene showed Wanjeri lying on the floor with bullet wounds on her left thigh.

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 role of watchdog 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.

Wanjeri is currently receiving treatment for the gunshot wounds at a hospital in Nakuru. Her colleagues at the scene believe the attack was a targeted act by a rogue police officer.

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.

Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba also censured the act stating, "Journalism is not a crime. Shooting journalists on assignment is a sign of the erosion of Kenyan democracy. As a journalist, I join the media fraternity in condemning the shooting of the K24 Journalist, Catherine Wanjiru. Her press jacket deserved respect."