Journalists Expelled from Mombasa Meeting by DCI Amin
On Saturday, March 25, journalists covering a meeting between members of parliament and the heads of independent commissions accused conference organizers of ejecting them.
A senior government official reportedly asked the Senate leadership to remove the media from the room, temporarily interrupting the meeting.
The journalists were further instructed to wait until the Senate leadership issued new guidelines.
A senior government official allegedly raised concerns about his security, adding that he did not wish to be recorded.
“Darker days loading. Perhaps the timing made it sound odd “An experienced journalist bemoaned online.
The Kenya National Human Rights Commission, the National Land Commission, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, and the Parliamentary Service Commission were among the commissions represented.
Others included the Judicial Service Commission, Commission on Revenue Allocation, Public Service Commission, Salaries and Remuneration Commission, Teachers Service Commission, National Police Service Commission, and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Amin Mohammed, the head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), also attended the closed-door meeting (in private, without the public, newspaper reporters).
Esther Okenyuri, a senator nominee, stated that the sole purpose of the meeting was to find ways to collaborate to ensure effective service delivery in counties and the success of devolution as a whole.
Senator Okenyuri, a member of the Powers and Privileges Committees, added, “Key issues that legislators are focusing on include collaboration with the constitutional institutions, challenges and legislative gaps affecting the proper discharge of mandates by these offices.”
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The Communication Authority of Kenya recently criticized the media, threatening to shut down six television stations for unethical journalistic practices.
Ezra Chiloba, the general director of the CA, alleged that the stations violated the programming code by covering Azimio La Umoja protests.
“The Authority has determined that at least six television stations, namely Citizen TV, NTV, K24, KBC, TV47, and Ebru TV, violated the programming code through their coverage.
“Coverage depicted scenes that could cause public panic or incitement, threatening the country’s peace and cohesion,” the CAK statement read in part.
On Friday, March 24, the High Court prohibited Chiloba from taking legal action against the media.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) also apologized to the public on March 25 after it was discovered that it had shared fake news on social media.
In a crackdown against rowdy protesters, DCI was criticized for using fake protest photos.
“Our post was intended to solicit information on the whereabouts of criminal suspects associated with Monday’s illegal demonstrations.
DCI explained that the confusion was partially caused by the overwhelming amount of information received via the FichuakwaDCI online platform regarding the reported incidents of violence.
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