The Nakuru County Assembly suspended its sittings on Wednesday after chaos broke out at the chambers after security officers clashed with Members of County Assembly over denying journalists access to the premises.
Reports indicate that journalists were denied access to the Nakuru County Assembly to cover proceedings after an impeachment motion was filed against County Secretary Samuel Mwaura.
Video clips seen by Kenyans.co.ke depicted commotion and chaos with MCAs shouting at police officers as the journalists tried to force their way into the chambers. Speaker Joel Karuri Maina confirmed Nakuru County Assembly was closed after chaos and disorder among members.
"Based on this continuous disregard to our standing orders, an affront to the Constitution, statutes, and lack of respect to the authority of the seat of the Speaker, I once again wish to invoke the provisions of Standing Order 110 and adjourn this House forthwith, to a date to be communicated," he ordered.
Chaos ensued at the gate when journalists were barred from entering, which triggered the politicians to step in. The whole altercation almost descended into blows.
Armed police officers closed the main gate of Ugatuzi Plaza claiming they had been ordered by senior officials whom they did not disclose.
The ensuing fracas caused disturbance forcing the County Assembly Speaker to intervene and call off business for the day.
Reportedly, journalists had been invited to the assembly to cover a press conference organised by MCAs. The politicians subsequently took offence when the journalists were denied entry.
Joseph Openda, the Chairperson of the Nakuru Journalists Association decried the incident describing it is a violation of the freedom of the media.
"We demand a public apology from the assembly and actions taken against the officers who mishandled the journalists, failure to act may force us to pursue further legal and public avenues to safeguard our rights and that of the public to be informed,” read part of the statement.
“We call upon the County Assembly to put in place mechanisms that will ensure journalists are able to carry out their work without intimidation or any form of interference."
On his part, Simon Mwangi, a Nakuru-based journalist claimed that that this was not the first time such an incident was being reported at the County Assembly.
“I have been denied access to the County Assembly two times, before today’s incident. There was a time I was restricted from entering the County Assembly because the officers at the gate said that the media station I work for was not on the list of those media houses that are allowed in the house,” he explained calling for media freedoms to be respected.
