She lamented that the government was taking the statements issued by them and other media bodies for granted
Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), through its President Zubeida Kananu on Wednesday, July 17 issued a 7-day strike notice in which all journalists and media practitioners will take to the streets if action is not promptly taken in response to the abductions and attacks on journalists as witnessed in the recent anti-government demonstrations.
Addressing the media on Wednesday after the release of veteran Nation Media Group Editor Macharia Gaitho, an enraged Kananu accused the government of turning a blind eye towards the security of the members of the Fourth Estate, particularly those reporting on the field.
She lamented that the government was taking the statements issued by them and other media bodies for granted, in response to the attacks on the scribes that go as far back as the 2023 protests.
Kananu insisted that the recent instances of excessive use of force by police officers on Kenyans, not just journalists, are uncalled for and it contravenes the Constitution of Kenya and particularly, the Bill of Rights.
Kenya Editors Guild President Zubeidah Kananu with other journalists at the Karen Police Station in response to the abduction of veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho who was released on July 17, 2024. /PHOTO
“We have got to a point that we will now issue a 7-day notice if no action is taken against those responsible. We will not need to go on the field because it seems like that is the language that the government understands. It has got to a point that I have no idea what is being hidden when we try to explain to Kenyans what is going on, what are they fearing?” she posed.
“If indeed the rights are being followed, if things are done the way they are supposed to be done, what is the fear for? We will not let the media be cowed or threatened the way it is occurring now.”
Kananu called out the government over its ambition to control the country’s media platforms, including denying them revenue-generating advertisements anytime they publish stories that expose the flaws of the Kenyan government.
“The other day they said that if we publish a certain story, we will not give you advertisements. Every time it’s all about threats when we broadcast what is going on, you threaten to shut us down.
“We have a right as the media to report what is going on in this country and to inform Kenyans about the current affairs of this country and we will not stop, we will not be cowed nor threatened, we will keep doing our work,” she added.
Turning to Gaitho’s abduction, Kananu accused the National Police Service (NPS) of failing to provide evidence of mistaken identity in the arrest of the respected scribe.
“It is very painful and the claim of mistaken identity…where are they to come here and tell us? Who doesn’t know Macharia? He joined this industry before I did and when I joined, I knew who he was.
“They cannot lie to us that it was a mistaken identity…even if it is, he is not a criminal to abduct him and toss him like a sack,” she ranted.
Kananu concluded that the Kenyan media would not let this and other cases slide and that they would follow the matter to the utmost conclusion, stating that KEG’s statement which condemned the shooting of K24 reporter Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki did not have the effect it should have on such a grave matter.
“We will not let this go, we will follow it to the very end. Yesterday we issued a statement but it seems like they’ve used our statements as paper for wrapping meat…we have reached the breaking point,” she stood firm.
Kananu’s sentiments come after the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) vowed to take to court the police officer accused of shooting Wanjeri, a K24 reporter based in Nakuru, on Tuesday, July 16, while covering the anti-government protests in the Central Business District (CBD).
Gaitho had been abducted in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, at the Karen Police Station after being trailed from his home in Nairobi.
A video that went viral on social media showed Gaitho being bundled into a private car by uniformed police officers, and others dressed in civilian clothing.Â
Veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho (left) who was abducted at Karen Police Station (right) on July 17, 2024. /CITIZEN DIGITAL.VIRAL TEA KE