The senate has warned media houses that shared a false video of Senator Irungu Kang’ata which insinuated that he attended house proceedings while at a bar.
On Tuesday September 21, Senate speaker Ken Lusaka announced that Citizen Tv, K24, Kamene TV and The Star stand reprimanded.
Lusaka said that the reprimand would act as the first warning but severe actions would be taken against them if they violate broadcasting rules on parliament proceedings in future.
“The Star digital, Citizen digital, K24 TV and Kameme TV either pulled down, and/or apologised to Senator Irungu Kang’ata and the Senate for the complaint on the recording. These media houses acknowledged that they had aired a manipulated video and went on to broadcast the correct version of the proceedings. These are acts of contrition and I will take them into account as mitigating factors,” Lusaka stated.
“It needs to be noted that the conduct of the media houses in breaching the rules on broadcasting was serious and should be treated as such. This conduct is particularly worrying and must be nipped in the bud coming, as it does, in the electioneering season,” he explained.
According to Lusaka, the media houses had admitted to airing a false video therefore there was no need for the matter to be escalated to the Senate Powers and Privileges Committee.
“Taking all the relevant factors into consideration, including the apology and retraction I have referred to earlier, I consider that a reprimand issued to the four media houses for contravening the Rule 5 & 6 of the Broadcasting Rules, the media houses are reprimanded and cautioned that a repeat of the offending conduct will invite far more severe action,” Lusaka said.
A video that was shared widely on social media implied that Kang’ata had attended the senate proceeding while at Sabina Joy, a popular drinking joint in Nairobi.
Kang’ata however refuted the claims while insisting that he has never drank alcohol in his life.
“Mr Speaker, for the record, yours truly has never touched any drop of beer, wine or any form of alcohol since the time yours truly was born.
RELATED STORY: Drama As Senator Kang’ata Attends Senate Meeting From Sabina Joy, Lusaka Blocks Him
