The Media Council of Kenya has suspended Dennis Kipyegon, the organisation stated in a statement on Friday, December 11.
In the statement, the council stated that Kipyegon’s membership had been suspended for disregard of the laid down code of conduct.
“This is due to breach of the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya, under the Second Schedule of the Media Council Act 2013.
“The Council further advises that it will take no responsibility for any transactions between him and members of the public, on account of his MCK membership,” the statement read.
The MCK is the principal body mandated to develop and regulate the media industry in Kenya in order to promote media freedom, professionalism and independence.
It is established by law under the Media Council Act of 2013 to fulfill Article 34 (5) of the Constitution of Kenya which enshrines media freedom
The MCK has put in place various mechanisms to help with verification of a journalist’s accreditation status, reporting cases on violations against journalists, hate speech and fake news.
The council has reported increasing cases of harassment and threats to journalists across the country which make them vulnerable while in the course of their duty.
In the eight months since Covid-19 was recorded in Kenya, the public suffered brutality in various ways and journalists were not left behind.
A report by MCK released in November listed the counties considered most dangerous for journalists to work in, judging by the number of brutality cases reported.
Nairobi led the pact after recording nine cases followed by Turkana, Kiambu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Mandera, Kisumu, Nyeri and Baringo.
The country recorded 52 cases in the eight months, with a majority being men who accounted for 83% while 14% were women.
It was also revealed that most cases of violence were meted by police officers who accounted for 19 cases followed by members of the public (13), unknown people (5), politicians (5) and county government officers (3).
