MCK condemns assault on journalists during Ol Kalou poll, demands action

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned the assault on journalists and confiscation of media equipment during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

MCK has further called on police to immediately end attacks on media workers and hold those responsible accountable.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the council said the attacks represented a direct assault on press freedom and the public's constitutional right to access information.

"The Media Council of Kenya strongly condemns the assault on journalists and confiscation of media equipment by armed people during the Ol Kalou constituency by-election," MCK said.

"These continued attacks and impunity against journalists must come to an end, and the perpetrators must be held legally accountable."

The council said it views the incidents as more than isolated violations of press freedom, describing them as deliberate acts intended to intimidate journalists carrying out their work.

"The Council views these continued attacks as more than isolated press freedom violations, but deliberately orchestrated security actions aimed at intimidating media workers into censorship and fear, thereby denying the public their right to accountable and peaceful electoral participation," the statement said.

According to MCK, several accredited journalists were physically attacked and had their equipment confiscated while lawfully covering the by-election.

Among those affected was Star photojournalist Enos Teche, who was attacked while covering a confrontation involving residents and occupants of three vehicles outside Ol Kalou Comprehensive School.

The council said armed and masked men allegedly emerged during the incident, fired shots into the air and lobbed teargas canisters before confronting Teche, demanding his camera and assaulting him before taking the equipment.

MCK said Teche sustained a hand injury and later recorded a statement with detectives at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations office in Ol Kalou.

The council also said Nation Media Group journalist Brygettes Ngana and her cameraperson were assaulted and had their camera confiscated by individuals it described as suspected plainclothes police officers. It noted that the identity of those involved had not yet been confirmed.

MCK called on the relevant police command to identify those responsible, facilitate the unconditional return of all confiscated media equipment and fully cooperate with investigations into the incidents.

It also urged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to take prompt and decisive action to ensure accountability.

"The Council remains firmly committed to the protection of journalists and the defence of press freedom," it said.

MCK added that it would engage the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Ol Kalou, the Inspector General of Police and, where necessary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to pursue justice for the affected journalists.

The council said accountability would be critical in preventing similar incidents, particularly as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.