The Media Council of Kenya has taken action after NTV journalist Mwangi Muiruri was harassed by DP Ruto security detail.
Muiruri found himself in trouble on Sunday after he accidentally stepped on one of the guards as he tried to take a better shot of DP Ruto who was launching the Kangari United Dairy Co-op Society Limited in Kigumo constituency.
MCK’s CEO David Omwoyo has reported the matter the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), requesting the body to help in identifying the officers involved with the incident.
Omwoyo said that the officers violated the constitution and acted in bad faith.
“The blame game between the local police officers and the Deputy President’s security on who exactly was involved in the matter is worrying. The Council has asked IPOA to help in the identification of the police officers, probe circumstances behind the incident, and ensure prosecution to prevent normalising impunity and threat to press freedom in the country,” Omwoyo said.
He urged the police to work peacefully with journalists to ensure that they are safe as they carry out their duties.
Muiruri was accused of compromising DP Ruto’s security by blocking his bodyguards. He refuted the claims saying that he had no such plans.
The journalist was taken to police station where he was grilled by officers for hours. He said that the officers informed him that the DP already had a media team which implied that there was no use of him being at the event.
Muiruiri said that his misfortune could have been as a result of bad blood between DP Ruto’s security detail and journalists from the Nation Media Group.
“On November 5, some journalists were covering Ruto in Gatanga, Ruto’s team claimed that the journalist went on to incorrectly report on the event,” he said.
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