The National Police Service has assured journalists who will cover the August polls of their safety.
Police Spokesperson Bruno Shioso made the pledge on Wednesday when officials from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) paid him a courtesy call at his office.
The MCK team was led by Victor Bwire, the Director Media Training and Development and Dinnah Ondari, the Manager - Press Freedom, Safety and Advocacy.
Shioso pledged to ensure members of the Fourth Estate are protected during the electioneering period.
The meeting discussed how the MCK and the Police Service can partner to ensure the safety of journalists.
Shosio called on the council to facilitate the accreditation of journalists to ease identification and verification as the August 9 polls draw closer.
The meeting came just a month after MCK chairman Maina Muiruri called on the government to protect journalists during the electioneering period.
Speaking in Kirinyaga town on March 3, Muiruri pointed out that journalists’ safety and security in their line of duty must be guaranteed by the State machinery.
He was in Kirinyaga to distribute MCK branded safety wear to Kirinyaga based journalists to be used as they cover election related events.
Muiruri told the journalists to report incidents of harassment or intimidation to the council for intervention.
Meanwhile, the Media Council has already appointed an inter-media team to coordinate the safety and protection of journalists ahead of the polls.
The team which includes editors and heads of content will be supported by the MCK to develop protocols and practical working modes to ensure that journalists and other media staff are protected during the election period.
The initiative is informed by habitual increase in threats towards media personnel around election periods.
