Journalists in Kiambu County took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against the shooting of their colleague, Nakuru-based Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki of Mediamax, by a policeman while covering demonstrations in the town.
The journalists reprimanded the callous act by a rogue trigger-happy security officer terming it as spine-chilling, barbaric and unacceptable noting that the journalist was only discharging her noble duty – covering a public event.
The infuriated journalists marched through the streets of Kiambu town while carrying placards and chanting slogans denouncing the violence meted on 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 Ms Kariuki was hell-bent on harming her, noting that was donning the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) press jacket which is clearly visible when she was shot twice in the thigh.
They demanded for sacking, arrest and prosecution of the rogue officer noting that they will follow the matter to the latter.
The irate pressmen and women said that Wanjeri’s case is not the only one where policemen have displayed utter disregard of the law by attacking journalists while on duty, urging the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to move with speed and reign in on the rogue policeman involved in the unfortunate shooting.
The Kenya Editors’ Guild has also condemned the continued, targeted, and brazen attacks on journalists covering protests.
