NTV Anchor Saved From Serving Jail Term

A photo of NTV News Anchor Edmond Nyabola on set.
NTV News Anchor Edmond Nyabola on set.

NTV news anchor Edmond Nyabola and former Broadcast Managing Editor Emmanuel Juma are breathing easy after a judge suspended an order that would have seen them serve six months in prison.

High Court Judge Msagha Mbogholi suspended an earlier order issued by Senior Resident Magistrate D.O Mbeja on the two for contempt of court.

The suit was filed by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK) after the station aired an expose headlined "Sins of Saviours" in 2019, despite a court order stopping its broadcast.

Outgoing Managing Editor of NMG's Broadcasting Division Emmanuel Juma.
Former Managing Editor of NMG's Broadcasting Division Emmanuel Juma.
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CWSK claimed that the journalists were guilty of contempt of court and ought to be punished by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

But through its lawyer Stephen Gitonga, NTV argued that the order was not served on time and that the journalists had no knowledge of the order.

Justice Msagha Mbogholi ruled that the case was scheduled to be heard on March 30, 2021. 

CWSK CEO Irene Mureithi had argued that the airing of the story was not in the best interests of the children.

The feature 'Sins of Saviours' was aimed at exposing child abuse and looting at the CWSK, a state corporation charged with the responsibility of taking care of vulnerable children in the country.

"She left no doubt that she is prepared to do everything and anything to ensure the story does not air by making it unethical or virtuous to us, claiming she knows people in high places.

"When all that did not work, she mischievously went to the children's court, and using falsehoods and assumptions, got orders barring us from airing the feature, Sins of Saviours, this Sunday," Nyabola had stated.

Mureithi was sent on compulsory leave in October 2019 to pave way for investigations after the exposé.

However, in January 2020, the court reinstated her at the helm of CWSK. 

An earlier freeze on all the society’s bank accounts following allegations of misconduct and misappropriation of funds was also lifted. 

CWSK CEO Irene Murithi during a past court appearance
CWSK CEO Irene Murithi during a past court appearance
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