House Speaker Justin Muturi defends scribes’ eviction from Parliament

By Allan Kisia, Abigael Sum and Geoffrey Mosoku

Nairobi, Kenya: National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has explained that journalists had not been barred from covering parliamentary proceedings even as security officials ensured the media had restricted access into Parliament Buildings.

A day after Clerk Justin Bundi ordered journalists to vacate the Media Centre, parliamentary orderlies ensured only journalists with passes issued two years ago, were allowed into Parliament Buildings.

The implication was that only a few journalists were let in because majority of parliamentary reporters who were initially accredited have either changed media houses, left the media or risen to other positions.

Even the few who had the passes were made to wait for hours, ostensibly for parliamentary media relations officers to guide them to the Media Centre.

The motive of enforcing requirement for old passes instead of accrediting journalists afresh was unclear or whether it was designed as a hurdle to restrict access.

Only journalists from the national broadcaster KBC were allowed in, and a handful others whom Parliament had accredited when the Media Centre was being established.

Mr Muturi, while issuing a clarification over the matter said arrangements are being made to find another place for the media within Parliament.

“The media should sympathise with Parliament because there is no space for committee meetings. The two rooms at the Media Centre can host two committee meetings concurrently,” he said.

Suba MP John Mbadi had asked the Speaker to clarify the matter saying barring journalists painted them as being intolerant to criticism.

The Speaker also added that journalists should be fair to Parliament arguing that using words such as barred is in bad taste.

Avoid comment

Journalists who went to cover parliamentary proceedings and parliamentary committee meetings were turned away by security officials. The officers said they had been instructed not to allow them in without clearance.

The Standard journalists who went to cover afternoon’s parliamentary session were told to wait outside for clearance but it was in vain.

“We are not allowed to let you in. For you to go in, make a call to the people you know inside and we will be instructed on whether to let you in. Please make that call while outside the gate,” an officer said.

Immediate former House Speaker Kenneth Marende avoided more comment but regretted the incident.

“My principle is to respect my predecessor and avoid any comments. I don’t know why that decision was made but it is too unfortunate,” he said.

The decision to evict journalists to ‘create space’ for Parliament committee is said to have been a resolution of the House Business Committee, following a proposal by a vocal ODM MP.

The MP took issue with the media over the manner in which they have handled the issue of MPs salaries saying the media has vendetta.

The Standard Group CEO Sam Shollei condemned the move terming it retrogressive and unacceptable. “Evicting journalists from Parliament is retrogressive and it undermines the freedom of the media and information,” said Mr Shollei.

Head of Royal Media Services Wachira Waruru said the Media Owners Association will wait for the events to unfold before taking any action.