Journalists across the country have threatened to boycott coverage of political rallies and government functions if their security is not guaranteed and their rights respected.
The journalists claim that their safety is no longer provided even as they work in polarized environments.
The scribes who held protests in Nairobi and others parts of the country on Thursday claimed that politicians and the police are harassing, intimidating and even attacking them while in their line of duty
The journalists marched through the streets of Nairobi carrying placards that had different messages like ‘Stop attacks on journalists, Journalism is not a crime and stop threats against journalists.
The journalists say that attacks meted on them shows that their rights and freedoms as members of the fourth estate are under threat.
The fourth estate members accused the government of failing to act on cases where journalists have been attacked in the past.
They said that since the mysterious death of Kilifi based Standard Journalist Joseph Masha last week, the government has not issued any statement.
“It is clear that the government is not concerned with the rising cases of journalists being harassed, beaten and even killed,” said a journalists with a daily newspaper who sought anonymity for fear of being intimidated.
The journalists said that their security is not guaranteed especially ahead of the 2017 polls.
“We are working in polarized environment and the security agencies have to guarantee our security,” said David Owino, a freelance journalist.
Mr owino said that journalism is a profession just like any other and members rights must be respected.
The fourth state members presented their petition to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General office, the Kenya National Human Rights.
Cases of journalists being attacked and harassed in their line of duty have been reported recently.
On Wednesday night a photographer based in Kitale was murdered by armed goons at and his camera stolen at his Kibomet home.
On Monday, two journalists were attacked by guards as they covered demonstrations at Kakuzi Company in Murang’a County.
Last week a journalist working with the Standard, Mr Joseph Masha died mysteriously after allegedly having a meal with a local politician in Mombasa.
In April this year two journalists, Nehemiah Okwemba (Nation Media Group) and Reuben Ogachi (Citizen TV) were attacked and their cameras destroyed by General Service Unit police while doing investigations over alleged confiscation of 200 heads cattle at the Galana ranch in Tana River County.
In May last year, the owner of Eldoret-based weekly newspaper ‘the Mirrow’ Mr John Kituyi was murdered by unknown people as he headed at his home in Eldoret town.The case is still in court.
In June this year, a K24 journalist was attacked by goons during an ODM rally in Budalangi, Busia County.
It is basing on these cases that journalists want their security to be guaranteed and their rights protected.
Media Council of Kenya (MCK) CEO Harun Mwangi says that the rights of the press as provided in the constitution have to be respected.
He observes that the council receives many complaints from journalists of being harassed by the police, politicians and other prominent people.