Media Council of Kenya calls for action to be taken against Governor Mike Sonko over claims of assaulting a journalist

DCI asked to take action after Sonko was filmed assaulting a journalist

Mumbi Mutuko

06 November 2019 08:02 AM

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Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko at EACC HQ

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to take action against Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.

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This request comes a day after the Nairobi County boss was filmed assaulting a journalist at the EACC headquarters on Wednesday.

The council also called out police who lobbed teargas at journalists who were present to cover Sonko's arrival at Integrity Centre.

Governor Sonko was on Tuesday seen on live TV physically assaulting a journalist at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) offices.

Journalists during a past presser Journalists during a past presser Pulse Live Kenya

Respect journalists

"The Council calls upon the DCI and ODPP to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attacks on Collins Kweyu (Standard Group), Steve Shitera (Citizen TV), Jeff Angote (Nation Tv) and Joseph Wakhungu (Milele Fm)..." the statement read in part.

MCK appealed to law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint when dealing with members of the press who are on duty.

EACC sleuths summoned Sonko last week for allegedly lying in his self-declaration form when he sought clearance to contest for governorship.

Sonko says it's a wicthhunt

Police lobbed teargas Police lobbed teargas Pulse Live Kenya

The anti-corruption agency's CEO Twalib Mbarak, through a letter, asked Sonko to present himself at the Integrity Center to record a statement which will facilitate investigations.

“The commission is investigating allegations that you provided false information to the commission in your self-declaration form dated 9 March 2017 submitted to the commission,” Mbarak stated in a notice dated October 28.

However, the Nairobi Governor termed the summons as a witch hunt adding that he will not be intimidated.