The Judiciary on Friday, July 21 condemned the National Police Service (NPS) after police officers were caught on video harassing journalists covering Embakasi East MP Babu Owino's bail hearing.
In a carefully worded statement, the judiciary regretted the incident observing the media was not barred from covering proceedings along the corridors of justice.
The Judiciary directed NPS under the leadership of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to adhere to the principles of media freedom enshrined in the 2010 Constitution.
"The Judiciary espouses the principles of transparency, civic participation and accountability. Unless otherwise directed, the Judiciary does not bar the media from covering cases within its precincts," the statement read in part.
"The institution believes that media presence in court denotes permanent civic vigilance over the exercise of judicial authority, which is delegated to the Judiciary by the Kenyan people."
In the incident that was captured by a number of media houses, police officers ordered journalists to leave the court buildings while they were waiting for Owino's legal team to address the media.
At some point, some of the officers were caught on camera shoving a camera operator who subsequently fell on the staircase.
Despite pleading with the officers, the members of the fourth estate were forcefully ejected from the building without adequate explanation.
Besides the media, legal practitioners also lamented being harassed by the police. Babu Owino's lawyer Ndegwa Njiru also complained of being harassed.
The incident drew sharp criticism from the members of the legal fraternity and leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja who expressed concern over the infringement on the freedom of the media.
"Today Babu Owino's lawyers and journalists covering the case were harassed by anti-riot police officers within the court corridors. This unacceptable police behaviour must be called out," Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua stated.
Police are yet to issue a statement on the incident.
