•Cases of police officers impersonating journalists have been witnessed especially during the ongoing protests in the country
•On Wednesday, the Media Council of Kenya condemned the move by security officers to impersonate journalists during protests so as to arrest participants
Lawyers now want Chief Justice Martha Koome to intervene and put a stop to the unnecessary influx of police officers in courts.
They further want the CJ to ensure the safety of advocates as they go about executing their mandate in courts.
Lawyers representing Babu Owino in court on Friday said it had reached a point where police officers are now accessing courts while wearing press jackets.
“This is our place, this is our office, this is where we work. This is a very dark day and I think this bark stops at the foot of Martha Koome because she is the one who is in charge and to ensure that these courts are safe for everyone,” Lawyer Duncan Okatch said.
“It has reached a point where and this is very sad for the media fraternity we are seeing police officers, well known coming to court and being allowed access wearing press jackets and there is an accreditation for press,” he added.
He questioned how they gained access to the courts, adding that it was a very serious issue in terms of the administration of justice.
Their sentiments come barely hours after a section of journalists received rough treat as they attempted to cover a bail ruling court hearing at Milimani courts.
The media had arrived to cover Embakasi East MP Babu Owino's bail ruling.
There was a heavy presence of armed police outside the court chambers.
In a video seen by the Star, police are seen chasing journalists away.
A photojournalist is seen falling on the staircase after being pushed by police.
Cases of police officers impersonating journalists have been witnessed especially during the ongoing protests in the country.
On Wednesday, the Media Council of Kenya condemned the move by security officers to impersonate journalists during protests so as to arrest participants.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo termed this as unprofessional misconduct by the officers.
"Impersonation of journalists by the police is a grave unprofessional misconduct on the part of the police and endangering the lives of journalists in the line of duty," he said.