Journalists Sue Kenyan Police Over Alleged Violence and Intimidation During Protests

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“Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of democracy, and journalists must be free to report without fear of violence or intimidation,” argued Zubeidah Kananu, whose affidavit supports the petition.

Journalists in Kenya have moved to the High Court in Nakuru, seeking justice for alleged harassment, intimidation, and violence perpetrated by police while covering protests.

The petition, filed by several media stakeholders including the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Kenya Editors’ Guild, highlights a troubling trend of police brutality targeting reporters during demonstrations.

In their application, the petitioners have called for immediate conservatory orders to prevent further harassment of journalists by police and security forces. The petition specifically names high-ranking officials such as the Inspector General of the National Police Service, Japheth Koome, and Nairobi County Commander Adamson Bungei, holding them personally accountable for any violations committed by officers under their command.

“Freedom of expression is the cornerstone of democracy, and journalists must be free to report without fear of violence or intimidation,” argued Zubeidah Kananu, whose affidavit supports the petition.

The case follows a series of high-profile incidents where journalists were allegedly attacked while covering protests, including demonstrations against the 2024 Finance Bill. Among those mentioned in the petition is Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki, who was shot three times in the thigh by police in Nakuru during a July 2024 protest.

Dominic Wanjala Wafula, another journalist, suffered an abdominal injury after a tear gas canister was fired at him by police outside the Supreme Court during the same period. “We were just doing our job, and the response we got from the police was completely unprovoked,” Wafula said.

Other journalists such as Justus Macharia, Maureen Muthoni Muriithi, and Nick Mudimba were also victims of alleged police brutality during protests in Nairobi. Macharia recounted being pushed out of a moving police vehicle after filming officers in action. “It was terrifying—one moment I was documenting the events, and the next, I was on the tarmac injured,” Macharia said.

The petitioners accuse the police and relevant authorities, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), of failing to investigate or prosecute the officers responsible for these acts of violence.

The case has drawn the attention of key civil rights organizations, including the Law Society of Kenya and the Katiba Institute, who have joined the petition as interested parties. The petitioners are calling for urgent judicial intervention, warning that further delays in addressing these violations could compromise evidence and embolden police to continue targeting journalists unlawfully.

“The failure to act swiftly in these cases is a threat to press freedom and the safety of journalists across the country,” said Julius Oguna, a representative of the Kenya Union of Journalists.

The hearing is set to take place in the coming weeks, with the petitioners hoping for swift justice and a precedent that will protect journalists from further harm while exercising their duties.

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