The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned the random arrests and attacks on journalists covering anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests on Tuesday in Nairobi Central Business District by police.

According to MCK, while journalists relied on the police for security in the line of duty, the security officers resorted to manhandling, harassing, arresting, and assaulting them.

MCK CEO David Omwoyo said journalists were detained and arrested despite being identified with MCK press badges and press jackets.

The Council revealed that those targeted were Joe Muhia and Iddi Ali Juma of the Associated Press (AP), who were arrested and later released after being assaulted.

“In an incident captured on video, Standard Group video editor Justice Mwangi Macharia was arrested and violently hauled out of a moving police motor vehicle, sustaining physical injuries,” the CEO said.

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Further, he said the Nation Media Group’s Taifa Leo reporter Sammy Kimatu was also thrown out of a moving police Land Rover, sustaining injuries, and is currently receiving treatment.

 The Council also added that Maureen Mureithi (NTV) has been hospitalized after police aimed a canister at her while she covered the protests.

The MCK CEO argued that Tuesday’s events indicate that members of the National Police Service remain the weak link in Kenya’s quest for freedom of expression and freedom of the media as espoused in the Constitution.

Omwoyo urged the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to rein in his officers and ensure that journalists are protected and not targeted for harassment while performing their duties in any working environment.