Leaders in Kitui County continued to unite to condemn last week’s heinous attack and arrest of Star journalist Musembi Nzengu and Radio Mbaitu FM’s Mercy Mueni by police in Kitui West.
Mwingi North MP Paul Musyimi said the incident was shocking and disgraceful to the National Police whose mandate is to protect lives and property of citizens.
Musyimi called on the county police commander Leah Kithei to ensure the matter was investigated with speed and efficiency and all the culprits brought to book.
“What happened at Mutonguni Secondary School grounds recently where police raided on journalists and assaulted them is bad and a shameful act. I appeal to county police commander to execute the arrest and prosecution of any police officer implicated in the crime,” the MP said.
Musyimi’s call comes barely two days after Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua condemned what he termed as police brutality on the journalists while they were on duty.
Wambua, a former editor at the Standard Media Group, called on the relevant authorities and the police command to take appropriate legal and administrative actions against the rogue officers who attacked Musembi and Mueni and threatened other journalists who were present.
The Kenya Correspondents Association Lower Eastern also condemned the incident. The association’s regional chairman Daniel Kituku said his office stands behind the attacked journalists and will pursue justice to prevail on the matter.
Musembi said he was strangled, slapped pinned to the ground and kicked by a contingent of armed police officers led by the deputy OCS. Mueni said her finger was sprained as police yanked her cell phone away.
On Monday, Kitui West Sub County police boss Henry Wesonga invited the assaulted journalists to his office at Ndollos Corner police station where he tendered his apology to them. He termed the incident as regrettable and instructed the criminal investigation department to commence investigations immediately.
Musembi, Mueni and other journalists were today (February 13, 2024) scheduled to record their statements with DCI officers at Matinyani police station within the Sub county.
STORY By PAUL MUTUA
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
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