The judiciary has condemned the harassment of journalists by police officers on Friday, July 21, during the bail hearing of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
In a statement to the press, the Judiciary noted that they don't bar journalists from covering court cases within their precincts.
"The judiciary espouses the principles of transparency, civic participation, and accountability. Unless otherwise directed, the judiciary does not bar the media from covering cases within its precincts. The judiciary believes that media presence in Court denotes permanent civic vigilance over the exercise of judicial authority, which is delegated to the judiciary by the Kenyan people.
"Freedom of media is secured under Article 34 of the constitution of Kenya 2010. We condemn in the strongest terms any harassment of the media in their line of duty, anywhere and particularly within our precincts," part of the statement read.
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Journalists covering the arraignment of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino at the Milimani Law Courts on Friday were roughed up by police officers.
Read Also: VIDEO: Drama in Court as Police Rough Up Journalists Covering Babu Owino's Bail Ruling
Video seen by Nairobi Leo showed police officers pushing the journalists out of court even as some were pushed to the ground in the commotion that ensued.
Attempts by journalists to defend themselves on grounds that they were covering the proceedings fell flat on the police officers who ordered them to vacate the courts.
