The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has taken action following reports that Embakasi East MP Babu Owino called and threatened Citizen TV Journalist Muraya Kariuki.
In a statement the Council demanded that the MP withdraws his threats and apologizes to Kariuki and Citizen TV.
"As the protector of media freedom in Kenya the @MediaCouncilK demands that the MP withdraws the threats and issues an appropriate apology to the journalist and the media fraternity," the statement read in part.
MCK said the threats by Babu only amount to intimidation and infringement on press freedom, which he should protect in respect of being a member of parliament.
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The Council further advised the MP to take any grievances he has to the MCK Complaints commission which is legally mandated to handle any misconduct issues against journalists and media houses.
"By virtue of his position as a legislator, we demand that the MP protects the very provisions of the Constitution that protects freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information as provided for in the Constitution in articles 33, 34, 35 and the Media Council Act, 2013."
"The @MediaCouncilK condemns any actions by politicians to threaten journalists as they undertake their rightful duties. We urge politicians and leaders to uphold decorum in engaging with the media; to promote positive dialogue as we get into the electioneering period," said MCK.
[Citizen TV Journalist Muraya Kariuki.]
Journalist Muraya Kariuki accused Babu of threatening him over his job at Royal Media Services.
In a tweet on Monday night, Muraya claimed that a man who introduced himself as Babu Owino called and sent him alarming messages.
“I just received a very nasty phone call from a person who introduced themselves as Hon Babu Owino on +254 711 111311 This has to do with the work I do. It is not good manners to try scare lowly journalists. Tunaomba tufanye kazi kwa amani,” he posted.
He proceeded to share screenshots of some of the messages sent to him using the number above, where he was warned against covering content that portrays ODM leader Raila Odinga popularly referred to as ‘Baba’ in negative light.
