This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
On November 5, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was caught on live TV physically assaulting a journalist at the EACC headquarters, where he had been summoned to clarify information he gave that enabled him to vie for the gubernatorial seat two years ago.
The Media Council of Kenya has come out strongly to condemn the assault, urging the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to take action.
According to the council, the harassment of journalists by Nairobi city governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Headquarters in Nairobi on November 5, 2019, is a gross violation of press freedom.
The council noted with concerns that instead of protecting the journalists, the police deliberately lobbed teargas at the journalists in a bid to prevent the members of the press from covering the unfolding events.
The journalists who were assaulted include Steve Shitera from Citizen TV, Collins Kweyu from Standard Group, and Jeff Angote from Nation TV. The council called upon the DCI and DPP to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attacks and bring culprits to book.
“We wish to remind the perpetrators of the violence that press freedom is a right enshrined in the constitution and any attempts to block journalists from exercising this right amounts to gross violation of the supreme law,” said the Media Council of Kenya.
