NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 31 – The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has condemned the attack on journalists covering Azimio la Umoja One Kenya demonstrations on Thursday.
The head of the organisation Eric Theuri described it as barbaric, repulsive and retrogressive.
“It’s obvious media spotlight is preventing the police from using brutal force on protesters, hence intimidation of media. IG police should take responsibility. He has failed in his responsibility,” he stated.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) said at least six journalists were injured during the attack at Kware in Pipeline, Embakasi South.
MCK chief executive officer David Omwoyo said in a statement that most of those targeted were photographers and camerapersons.
In a video that has since gone viral, a plainclothes officer is seen breaking the window of a media vehicle before lobbing a teargas canister in the car.
Omwoyo termed the incidents as acts of hooliganism and criminality whose interest is to destroy any evidence of police acts captured on camera.
MCK Director for Media Training and Development Victor Bwire stated that the Council will institute legal action against the National Police Service.
“This was not coincidental, they were deliberate acts of assault by officers against journalists who were doing their job,” Bwire said.
