Kenya Editors’ Guild condemns targeted attacks on journalists

The Kenya Editors’ Guild has condemned the continued, targeted, and brazen attacks on journalists covering protests, highlighting that this disturbing trend has persisted since the beginning of the GenZ-led protests to reject the Finance Bill 2024.

In a statement issued by KEG President Zubeida Kananu, the Guild reported that police officers shot and seriously injured Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki, a Nakuru-based Kameme TV and radio correspondent, while she was covering anti-government protests in the town.

Kariuki sustained rubber bullet wounds on her leg and was undergoing treatment by late evening.

The Guild also noted that in Nairobi, police sprayed CNN photojournalist Fabien Muhire with a chemical agent while he was working in the Central Business District.

The Guild condemned what they described as the reckless use of live ammunition and other harmful projectiles and sprays aimed at journalists and unarmed protesters by security agencies.

Citing Article 37 of the Constitution, the Guild emphasized that “every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions to public authorities.” They asserted that citizens have a right to picket as provided by the Constitution, and they expect law enforcement agents to abide by the law.

The Guild also condemned the harassment of journalists covering the protests, stating that they have repeatedly witnessed police attacking journalists with teargas canisters and dangerous chemicals, as well as the destruction of equipment.

The Kenya Editors’ Guild called for a speedy investigation into the attacks on Kariuki and Muhire, urging that the rogue culprits within the police force be brought to justice.