'Nation' journalist injured after assault at Laikipia County Assembly offices
Mr Muchiri Gitonga, a Nation journalist, outside Laikipia County Assembly where he was allegedly assaulted by a county executive member on March 25, 2015. He recorded a statement at Nanyuki Police Station. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Muchiri Gitonga said John Bosco Akaale confronted him at Governor Joshua Irungu’s and accusing him of attacking him (Akaale) on social media.
- The journalist said he was forced to run for safety inside the governor’s office.
- Laikipia East OCPD Kegode Kidiavai confirmed the incident saying that the journalist called him informing him what had happened.
- The County Chief of Staff John Wambugu said they were in a very friendly working relationship with the media.
A journalist working for the Nation Media Group was Wednesday morning injured after he was allegedly physically assaulted by a Laikipia County executive member.
Mr Muchiri Gitonga said that the Laikipia County government Water and Natural Resources Executive Member John Bosco Akaale confronted him at Governor Joshua Iringu’s and accusing him of attacking him (Akaale) on social media.
“The county executive member started shouting at me accusing me of tarnishing his name on social media.
“Before I could ask him what he meant, Mr Akaale attacked me with slaps and blows.” Mr Gitonga said.
The journalist said he was forced to run for safety inside the governor’s office.
Laikipia East OCPD Kegode Kidiavai confirmed the incident saying that the journalist called him informing him what had happened.
The OCPD said since he was in a meeting at the time, he directed the area OCS to rush to the scene and follow up on the matter.
INVESTIGATIONS LAUNCHED
He said investigations into the case had been launched and that the file would be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) office for further directions once investigations were complete.
"Ours is just investigations, and then the DPP will give directions," said Mr Kidiavai.
The Laikipia County government distanced itself from the incident saying the issue was criminal in nature.
The County Chief of Staff John Wambugu said they were in a very friendly working relationship with the media.
“As the county government we have nothing against the journalist,” he said.
Mr Wambugu who is also personal assistant to governor Irungu said the governor was in a meeting and was not aware of what had happened by the time he left the office.
“This was something which was personal and the county government has nothing to do with it, even though it happened within the Laikipia county government premises,” said Mr Wambugu.
Later in the afternoon nominated MCA Catherine Waruguru in a statement called for the formation of an ad hoc committee to investigate Mr Akaale.
