Kenya Editors Guild calls for probe after journalist roughed up by Dorcas Rigathi's security
The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) has condemned
the physical assault of a journalist by security officers attached to Second
Lady Dorcas Rigathi on Thursday.
Mwangi Muiruri, who is attached to the Nation
Media Group, was assaulted by the said security detail when he attempted to
record a relief food distribution exercise led by the Second Lady in Gatanga,
Murang'a County.
KEG President Churchill Otieno, in a subsequent
statement, called for speedy investigations into the incident, adding that the
officers should be brought to book for their actions.
"The Guild would like to condemn the
attack against the journalist and call for investigation into the matter and
action on the officers," said Mr. Otieno.
He went on to state that all journalists are
constitutionally allowed to carry out their mandate to provide public service
by informing citizens about important events and issues without any
interference.
"Attacks against journalists amount to
assault against constitutional guarantees of media freedom perpetrated by the
presumed guardians of law and order," note the KEG boss.
"The Bill of Rights in the Constitution
of Kenya is explicit on the entrenched right of the media to operate without
hindrance, along with rights to freedom of expression and the right to receive
and impart information granted to in Kenya."
Mr. Otieno similarly urged all persons that
might be aggrieved by any recognised member of the media to report the matter
to the Complaints Commission for appropriate action, instead of taking matters
into their own hands.
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