State House Director of Digital Communications Dennis Itumbi on Tuesday applauded police attacks on journalists who were covering the return of Miguna Miguna at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Posting on his social media platforms, Itumbi noted that journalists cannot keep defying police orders and especially on live TV.
He exclaimed: "Kenyan Police have done well.
"Journalism is not an absolute right. If a police order is lawfully given, you leave and if you believe it was wrong, challenge it in court. You cannot openly defy a police order on live TV," he asserted.
[caption caption="File image of Citizen TV Reporter Stephen Letoo"]
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He further noted that such occurrences can never be witnessed in other International Airports in the world.
"On that, I must say police did well. You will never see such stuff in other Airports," added Itumbi.
In his defense, Itumbi affirmed that the nation can not allow the broadcast of the country's Airport in such terms as the economy of the country is far more important than a news item.
General Service Unit (GSU) officers armed with clubs, kicked and slapped journalists on live TV at JKIA leaving several of them injured.
Citizen TV journalist Stephen Letoo was among those clobbered by police and was immediately rushed to the hospital, it has been reported that he was discharged on Tuesday morning.
A Nation TV cameraman identified as Robert was also left bleeding and his camera and live broadcast equipment damaged by the officers.
KTN News Senior Reporter Sophia Wanuna was also slapped by one of the officers as seen in a video that has angered netizens.
Kenyans have since lashed out at Itumbi for making such statements.
Here are some reactions by Kenyans:
