Freelance journalist Abdul Hassan who said he was harassed by IEBC officials and police while covering the repeat presidential election in Lamu, October 26, 2017. /CHETI PRAXIDES
A Lamu-based freelance journalist was reportedly harassed by security officers while covering today's repeat presidential elections at Mokowe polling station.
Abdul Hassan, 26, said police forcefully took his memory card from the camera and formatted his information.
"I visited the polling station at around 6am to cover the presidential election but on reaching there, the police and some IEBC clerks and the presiding officer denied me access. They ordered me to go back," he said.
"On reaching the gate, armed police officers came after me, snatched my camera and ordered me to return to the station. They took my memory card and deleted everything including a documentary I had taken previously," he added.
He said he was shocked to be told to come with a special letter from the IEBC that can allow him to cover the event.
"I have IEBC accreditation card plus my Media Council of Kenya card. I don't understand which letter they are asking for," Hassan said.
IEBC county election manager Mohamed Adan said they have received complaints from the journalist.
"I have already instructed the returning officers, presiding officers and clerks to allow journalists do their work. I have rectified the matter. No journalists should be denied access to any polling station provided they show their documents," he added.
Journalists condemned the incident and said the officials were crossing the line.
"I encountered the same harassment on August 8 at Mokowe. This shouldn't at this age," said Mwanaharusi Rashid of Radio Rahma FM.
