- Speaking in Naivasha on Tuesday, Njoroge termed journalism as a crucial sector in the country in the dispensation of news and decision-making.
- The former senator lashed out at the Media Council of Kenya for failing to act and supporting journalists during the campaign period.
Image: GEORGE MURAGE
Former Jubilee nominated Senator Paul Njoroge has warned attacks against journalists could potentially drag the country back into the dark days and erode press freedom.
Njoroge's sentiments come days after the Political Journalists Association of Kenya expressed concerns over an increase in the attack on scribes as more than 50 cases have been reported since January.
The former senator lashed out at the Media Council of Kenya for "failing to act and supporting journalists during the campaign period".
Speaking in Naivasha on Tuesday, he termed journalism as a crucial sector in the country in the dispensation of news and decision-making.
“We are worried about the rise in threats against journalists as we go to the election, while the Media Council of Kenya has been reduced to a toothless bulldog,” he said.
He called for peaceful elections, while challenging the state to declare Monday a public holiday to give Kenyans time to travel and vote.
This came as the Ministry of Education and NCIC organised a peace retreat in Naivasha targeting secondary school students from various parts of the country.
According to the patron of the Amani Club Festus Maingi, the retreat was meant to engage the students in maintaining peace while at home and in school.
He noted that in many cases, youths were used to cause violence and the retreat was meant to enlighten them on peace.
“For any country to develop economically, there must be peace and this can be maintained if we start engaging the youths at a tender age,” he said.
Maingi challenged the ministry to fund such retreats, which he said are crucial in addressing cases of unrest in schools.
One of the students, Faith Samuel, said the retreat had given them time to meet their colleagues and exchange ideas on peace.
“We are keen to promote and maintain peace mainly during this period when all eyes are on the general election,” she said.
Another student, Joe Mulwa, admitted many youths were misused by politicians during the election.
“If there is no peace even in schools, learning is paralysed and this time round, we are keen to be the ambassadors of peace,” he said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)