The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has moved to court to compel the proprietor and security staff of Kettle House Bar and Grill in Nairobi to compensate the journalists injured during a raid conducted by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) at the premises on 6th January 2024.

MCK CEO Mr David Omwoyo says the Council will push for compensation for the journalists’ physical injuries and equipment damaged during the incident.

“This time we have decided to go a step further by moving to court to demand compensation for the injuries of the journalists and the equipment that was destroyed during the raid”, said Mr Omwoyo at a press conference with Nyandarua-based journalists.

“As the criminal case proceeds, the Council believes that compensation for injuries and equipment is one way of stopping the threats and injuries and holding people accountable for undermining the work of the media and interfering with press freedom”.

Mr Omwoyo at the same time cautioned proprietors of businesses condoning attacks on journalists, saying that action will be taken against them should accredited journalists be attacked in the line of duty within their premises.

“If you own a space or premise and within your space journalists or the media get attacked, you will be held responsible for compensating them for injuries, trauma caused and the equipment”, he said.

The CEO at the same time advised media workers to exercise caution when undertaking assignments in hostile environments, saying that journalists seeking stories sometimes find themselves in precarious conditions where they are assaulted or denied access to some premises.

“The Council calls upon journalists to remain alert and cautious when engaged in such operations and other events that may have implications on their safety”, said Mr Omwoyo