Stakeholders call on State to end impunity for crimes against Journalists

Media stakeholders have raised concerns over the increasing violence against journalists and failure by the State to prosecute the perpetrators.

 Speaking during this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Kenya Correspondents Association Chairman William Oloo Janak on Monday also reflected on the history of brutality against journalists in Kenya.

Janak voiced concern over the unresolved killings of two Kenyan Journalists Francis Nyaruri who was killed in Kisii in 2009, and John Kituyi who was murdered in cold blood in Eldoret in 2004.

“The kind of impunity exhibited with failure to conclusively prosecute the perpetrators leaves a lot to be answered. Other cases of suspected poisoning of other Journalists Bernard Wesonga of the star and  Joseph Masha of The Standard stands unresolved,’’ he said.

He called on media outlets to condemn impunity within and urged the government to prosecute all cases of brutality by state agencies and other violators.

“CAJ condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers. We are appealing to all  Member States and the African Union to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers: This will help ensure accountability in bringing  to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers’’, he said.

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo said attacks on journalists have remained unpunished.

Mr Omwoyo also warned quacks and said MCK will not accredit untrained Journalists.

ICT Principal Secretary Esther Koimet who was the chief guest said the government was fully committed to ensuring that journalists work in safety.