Keep off Nyeri County Assembly, Speaker tells NMG reporters
A Nyeri County Assembly sergeant-at-arms pushes NTV cameraman Boniface Mwangi from the assembly's compound on October 8, 2015 moments after Speaker David Mugo banned Nation Media Group journalists from covering proceedings. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They cited a report by both NTV and the Nation that revealed that each ward rep would control Sh6 million as a ward development fund and Sh15 million for public participation.
- Nominated MCA Joseph King’ori told the assembly that the media group had continuously incited the public thereby causing bad blood between them and their electorates.
- After the brief debate, Speaker David Mugo ordered the sergeant-at-arms to remove all Nation Media Group reporters from the press gallery.
The Nyeri County Assembly has banned Nation Media Group (NMG) from covering its proceedings and committee meetings, in the latest attempt by leaders to gag the media.
Members of the county assembly (MCAs) accused the media house of inciting the public against them and misreporting.
They cited a report by both NTV and the Nation that revealed that each ward rep would control Sh6 million as a ward development fund and Sh15 million for public participation.
They also took issue with the highlighting of a report by the Controller of Budget showing how MCAs pocketed Sh3 billion in allowances.
(READ: MCAs ‘took home Sh3bn in allowances’)
However, none of them denied the reports.
Nominated MCA Joseph King’ori told the assembly that the media group had continuously incited the public thereby causing bad blood between them and their electorates.
PUBLISH APOLOGY
“The media is the eye of the public since the public cannot access the Hansard. So when they report like this, it stirs conflict,” noted Mr King’ori.
Assembly Speaker David Mugo then ordered NMG to publish an apology in the Nation if the company wishes to continue covering the assembly.
Majority Leader Jesse Kamuri called for talks between the media and MCAs.
After the brief debate, Mr Mugo ordered the sergeant-at-arms to remove all NMG reporters from the press gallery.
“I cannot sit and watch us being discredited. The media house will not cover the proceedings until they apologise to MCAs,” said Mr Mugo.
But the action was condemned by leaders and civil society groups.
Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando condemned the action, saying the assembly should engage, not gag.
“That should not be allowed to happen in Nyeri. The county is the bastion of mid-20th century freedom struggle. The new dawn is incompatible with gagging media because of the Fourth Estate’s interrogative duty,” said the MP.
“If they have nothing to hide, why ban reporting?” said Counties Efficiency in Development chairman James Maina.
Nyeri town lawyer Wahome Gikonyo said freedom of the press should be protected at all costs.
Kenyans took to social media and blogs to condemn the action, calling it an attempt to stop the media from making leaders accountable.
