Over 50 journalists in Kiambu County joined their colleagues across various countries to demonstrate against the shooting of their colleague, Nakuru-based Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki of Kameme TV by a policeman while covering anti-government demonstrations in Nakuru City.
The journalists reprimanded the officer, terming his actions as spine-chilling, barbaric, and unacceptable, noting that the journalist was only discharging her noble duty of covering a public event.
The infuriated journalists marched through the streets of Kiambu town while carrying placards and chanting slogans, denouncing the violence meted out to journalists.
They later dropped their petition at Kiambu police station demanding that all journalists be respected and protected while in their line of duty.
They claimed that the officer who shot and injured Kariuki was hell-bent on harming her, noting that she was donning the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) press jacket, which was visible when she was shot twice in the thigh.
“In view of the gravity of the shooting of our colleague and its implications on the risks that media people face in the work environment, particularly from law enforcement officers, we hereby unequivocally demand that the officer or officers involved be arrested and prosecuted for attempted murder,” a section of their statement read.
Led by Abraham Mbugua of NTV and Weru Mwangi from Royal Media Services, the press demanded the sacking, arrest, and prosecution of the rogue officer, noting that they would follow the matter to the end.
“The officer should be dismissed from service, arrested, and charged in a court of law for carelessly shooting and gravely injuring a harmless journalist. He should be fired and not transferred,” Mbugua said.
The irate pressmen and women said that Wanjeri’s case is not the only one where policemen have displayed utter disregard for the law by attacking journalists while on duty, urging the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to move with speed and rein in the rogue policeman involved in the unfortunate shooting.
Journalists condemn shooting
Jemimah Nyambura of Coro FM called on media organizations in Kenya, Africa, and the world to act in solidarity and call out the criminals in uniform and demand justice for all media persons who have in the past been assaulted, arrested, or otherwise denied their freedom to discharge duty.
“The government of Kenya should also ensure the safety of journalists in accordance with the Constitution and international conventions,” Nyambura said.
“We take this opportunity to wish our colleague a quick recovery and Godspeed as she nurses the serious injuries in hospital,” Wanjiku Wa Wanjiku, a Kameme FM reporter, added.
The journalists reiterated that journalists are not criminals but messengers to inform the masses and therefore should not be targeted by ‘criminals’ in uniform.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has also condemned the shooting of Kariuki. MCK CEO David Omwoyo termed the incident as shameful and terrifying.
The Kenya Editors’ Guild has also condemned the continued, targeted, and brazen attacks on journalists covering protests.