Rights
The Coast Civil Society Network for Human Rights (CSNHR) has condemned police brutality meted on journalists covering the anti-government protests. Speaking at a press conference in Mombasa, Peter Kiama, Director of Haki Yetu Organisation, criticised police for clawing back fundamental freedoms of journalists enshrined in the Constitution.
Kiama said Kenya is a democratic country with a constitution that affirms the fundamental place of freedom of association, assembly, protest, media, expression and condemned police violations of these tenets against journalists and media houses.
“We call for accountability for the transgressions meted to them. The network wishes to emphasize that journalists have self-regulating mechanisms. Any attempts and interference in the formal internal regulating measures will be objected to and shall not stand the test of the current constitutional dispensation,” he said.
He chided police for their heavy handedness during the protests nationally and in particular the police abuse of power at the Coast demanding accountability. Kiama said in Coast region, they have recorded six cases of abductions and attempted abductions and called upon the National Police service (NPS) to take note of all those cases and not tolerate acts of hooliganism against anyone.
“National Police Service Commission (NPSC) should prioritize nominating pro-reform individuals with outstanding performance for appointment to top police leadership, and fast track implementing the Maraga Task Force recommendations,” he said.
Kiama added that as human rights advocates, they demand that the principles of governance and accountability be the guiding theme for any arm of government. Chairman of the CCSNHR Zedekiah Adika said that it is important for the country to give the media an opportunity to do their work as freedom of the media is stipulated in the Constitution.
Adika stated that the country has moved to a time where there are now many media houses operating in Kenya thus the need to have all licensed media houses be given an opportunity to operate in Kenya with no threat meted out to a journalist or a media house.
He added that the media has been self-regulating and has done a good job asking the government to let professional bodies do the regulation. “If you want to put your hand in what the media is doing then that means you are in the wrong place. We commend the courts for standing with the media under relevant aspects of the law,” he said.
He noted that as a network, they are safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms, trying to ensure those demonstrating are given space to do so without any threats. “We have been monitoring the protests and the things we highlighted are what we want to see our country address,” he said.