Digital content creator Miss Trudy was on Tuesday, April 18, apprehended by security officers at Moi International Airport, Mombasa, for filming.
In a video which attracted over 7,000 engagements, Miss Trudy lamented over what she termed as harassment.
"We got arrested for filming at the Airport! This is getting out of control! We have a right to create content without intimidation! she wrote.
"She was actually filming near the screening area, which is not allowed. What the officer did was to inform her that it was not allowed politely," she added.
KAA Explanation
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a source at Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) stated that the decision to bar the content creator from filming was a security protocol.
He explained that the security officers politely directed Miss Trudy to move away since she was recording near a screening area and blocking the entrance.
Defending the decision, he argued that the content creator had no control over third parties using her content which could risk the lives of other travellers and even compromise airport security.
"Information shared online might risk the lives of other travellers that is why recording near screening and operation areas is restricted," he told Kenyans.co.ke.
The Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2016 prohibits using aviation safety information for different purposes it is intended for.
"Inappropriate use means the use of aviation safety information for a different purpose other than the purpose for which it was collected, including use of information for disciplinary, civil, administrative and criminal proceedings against operational personnel and disclosure of the information to the public," the Act reads partly.
Explaining what she ought to have done, a source at KAA indicated that Miss Trudy could have sought permission from airport officials to help her film unbothered.
"She was actually filming near the screening area, which is not allowed. What the officer did was to inform her that it was not allowed politely," the source maintained.
"To record there even in other international airports, one needs to get permission and even be escorted by an airport official," he added.
Protected Area Act also dictates that any person who turns down a request by a security officer to stop within a protected area is liable for arrest.
"Any person in a protected area who fails to stop after being challenged twice by a sentry, or by a person authorised on that behalf by the prescribed authority, may be arrested," the Act prescribes.
"A sentry or person authorised in that behalf by the prescribed authority may use any arms against any person who by force prevents or attempts to prevent the lawful arrest of himself or of any other person in a protected area," it further stipulates.
Further, according to KAA security regulations, access is granted to individuals in restricted areas following the discretion of the Managing Director, General Manager of Security or the Airport Manager.
Reactions
Consumer Federation of Kenya Secretary General Stephen Mutoro reprimanded Miss Trudy, indicating that airports are fragile security-protected areas.
"She has no control over third parties using her content," Mutoro reacted to the video.
A media practitioner called out the content creator, alleging that she had violated personal privacy by recording in that area.
"This is an annoyance, criminal trespassing and violation of privacy and personal space, at the very least," he wrote.
She was, however supported by other content creators who called on the government to define the rules restricting and allowing content creators to film or take pictures in public and protected areas.
