The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has condemned the shooting of Catherine Kariuki, a journalist with Mediamax Limited, during anti-government protests in Nakuru on Tuesday. Kariuki sustained a gunshot injury to her thigh and is currently recuperating at a Nakuru hospital, where she was taken by her colleagues.
According to the KUJ, fellow journalists described the shooting as a “targeted attack” by a “rogue police officer.” The union is demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officer involved.
KUJ’s Demands
KUJ Secretary General Erick Oduor issued a statement calling for swift action against the officer responsible. “We demand action against the trigger-happy police officer who targeted journalists who had been deployed by media houses to inform Kenyans. Such barbaric acts have no place in a democratic society like Kenya, where journalists are required to play the role of watchdog and source of credible information to citizens,” Oduor said.
The union has given the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) a seven-day ultimatum to investigate the incident and prosecute the officer involved, as well as the commander of the Nakuru operation. If no action is taken within this period, the KUJ plans to pursue private prosecution.
Call for Accountability
The KUJ emphasizes the importance of protecting journalists, who are essential in providing credible information and holding authorities accountable. The union’s strong stance highlights the need for a safe environment for journalists to perform their duties without fear of targeted violence.
The incident has sparked outrage among the journalistic community and the public, with calls for greater accountability and reforms within the police force to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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