Police in Nkubu, Meru County are holding a headteacher for assaulting journalists who were covering parents’ protests on Wednesday.
Buuri-e-Kingori Primary School headteacher Mugambi Nguthari attacked Nyambene TV correspondent Festus Mwiti and Mwangaza TV’s Clinton Koome as they were in the line of duty outside the school.
During the attack, a camera was damaged as the teacher fought to stop the journalists from doing their work.
A female parent who was addressing the journalists was also assaulted and has recorded a statement with the police.
Imenti South OCPD Abdirahman Musa said the suspect will be charged with malicious damage of property.
Koome said they had been called by parents who were complaining that the headteachet has been assaulting their children.
“As we were interviewing one of the parents, the fuming headteacher came and slapped the parent and took away our equipment. In the ensuing fracas, the camera, tripod and microphone were damaged,” Koome said.
Also on the spot is a Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) chairman who is on record threatening to incite headteachers to beat journalists who go to do stories in schools.
The Media Council of Kenya, the Meru Press Club and Imenti Press Club condemned the incident terming it an encroachment to press freedom.
Imenti Press Club secretary general Mawira Murori called on the police to ensure the suspect is brought to book.
“This blatant attack on the freedom of the press is not only unacceptable but also a direct violation of the rights of media practitioners and the public’s right to information. We are confident in the capacity and integrity of our police officers at Nkubu and trust that justice will be served accordingly,” Mawira said.
He called on the ministry of education and the Teachers Service Commission to initiate immediate and appropriate disciplinary action against the headteacher.
The Meru Press Club chairman David Muchui called said the unfortunate incident should serve as a lesson to others who target journalists in the line of duty.
“It is unfortunate that a headteacher who is tasked with shaping the future of our children turns into a violater of the law. We demand that the law takes its course,” Mr Muchui said.
