Deputy IG Mbugua warns police against brutality on journalists

Deputy Inspector General of Police Edward Mbugua has cautioned the uniformed men and women against brutalising journalists.

Mbugua in a memo on to the officers said stern action will be taken against officers who will be found guilty of harassing journalists.

He said this is amid efforts to ensuring that the police service upholds the constitutional values of media freedom.

The memo addressed to all regional commanders indicated that the directive was a result of increasing cases of police harassment against journalists.

Mbugua said the high number of cases harassment and mishandling reported at his office had raised major concerns about the safety of the members of the fourth estate.

"There is no policy for violence against journalists in the police service," he said.

He added, "You are directed to refrain from mistreating the media fraternity as it is their responsibility to keep the public informed".

"Pass the information to officers under your command. Any officer found to have manhandled any person will be dealt with as provided by the law," he added.

His sentiments were echoed by Kenya Editor's Guild Vice President Samuel Maina who asked journalists to always identify themselves through the press cards to avoid being victimized.

"Journalists should report promptly any aggression that put their lives in danger while in their line of duty,' he said.

While promising to follow up on all reported cases to ensure their conclusion, Maina reminded journalists to make themselves easily identifiable while in the line of duty.

"Both journalists and the police have a duty to serve the public. it is very worrying when police officers turn violent on journalists, causing injury and damaging tools," Editors Guild president Churchil Otieno said.

He was speaking during KEG visit to the deputy IG's Vigilance office.

Police officers have recently been accused of purposefully subjecting journalists through all sorts of violence.

During the Egerton University riots, a journalist was viciously attacked and his camera confiscated by an officer.

Another police attack was witnessed during the SGR demonstrations in Mombasa last year where several journalists were injured by police.