Editors challenge David Kimaiyo to prove allegations of incitement, insist police must clear air about Westgate Attack

By  Standard Digital Reporter

Nairobi, Kenya: The Kenya Editors' Guild has expressed shock and dismay following threats directed against the media from the Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo in relation to the coverage of the Westgate terrorist attack.

In a statement the editors termed threats directed at journalists Mohammed Ali and John-Allan Namu of KTN as an unacceptable threat to constitutional provisions on freedom of the media and the general freedom of communications

The editor’s body also said journalists were carrying out their obligation to the society by covering the Westgate terror attack and therefore should not be targeted.

“This mandate become even more critical in an environment where official communication from the relevant government arms, especially the security agencies, has displayed a high degree of obfuscation and misinformation that lends credence to suspicion of cover-up.” Read the statement signed by Kenya Editors Guild Chair Macharia Gaitho, Vice-Chair David Ohito, Acting Secretary Hassan Kulundu and Asststant Treasurer Catherine Gicheru.

The editors have also challenged the Inspector General of Police to prove his allegations of incitement and clarify why his officers are harassing journalists in the course of their duty.

The Guild also asked Namu and Mohammed to ignore any summons that might be issued in contempt of letter and spirit of the Constitutional and Statute law guarantees on media freedom.

In their statement the editors have asked the Police and the Interior ministry to provide timely and accurate information on the large number of outstanding queries from the Westgate incident adding that the media will not be cowed by statements of threat and will soldier own with efforts to uncover the truth and share it with the public.