Bunge la Mwananchi Castigates Journalists’ Shootings and Abductions

By Catherine Muema On Jul 23, 2024

By Shadrack Nyakoe

Bunge la Mwananchi President, Francis Awino, has strongly condemned the recent shooting, injuring, and abduction of journalists.

Awino emphasised the crucial role journalists play in society and insisted they should be allowed to do their work without fear.

“This is very wrong. Why abduct a seasoned journalist and claim it is a case of mistaken identity? It is also very wrong to shoot and injure a journalist while they are at work,” Awino stated.

“This shows that no one is safe.”

His comments come barely a day after police abducted veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho, later releasing him with the explanation that it was a case of mistaken identity.

Additionally, during the anti-government protests on Tuesday, police shot Kameme Radio/TV reporter Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki while she was covering the protest.

Kariuki suffered three gunshot wounds in what her colleagues described as a blatant police attack on the media.

Witnesses expressed confusion and outrage over why the officer aimed at a journalist who was clearly identifiable by her press jacket and media tag.

Kariuki is currently admitted at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital Annex, where she underwent surgery to remove three rubber bullets lodged in her thigh.

On the other hand, Awino also criticised President William Ruto’s decision to appoint Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi as “acting cabinet secretary” for all ministries.

“If the president wants to bring change, then all his cabinet ministers should be fired, including Mudavadi. Why leave him in office?” Awino questioned.

This statement follows Awino’s recent call for President Ruto to address the high cost of living, police brutality, and the mysterious discovery of dead bodies at the Kware dumpsite in Mukuru Kwa Njenga.

Bunge La Mwananchi has given the head of state 14 days to resign to necessitate an election.