NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 7- As Kenya heads to the electioneering period, the safety of journalists is a major concern as various political players try to dominate in the media space.
And even before the political season can pick pace, celebrated television journalist Muraya Kariuki was threatened by a sitting legislator on Monday evening.
Kariuki is said to have received the threats from Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, for allegedly airing negative news against Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga, who he fondly refers to as Baba- a Swahili name meaning father.
In a text message shared on social media by the Royal Media Services editor, the legislator accuses him of being on Deputy President William Ruto’s payroll, for him to oversee a negative media coverage of the former Prime Minister.
“I just received a very nasty phone call from a person who introduced themselves as Hon Babu Owino on +254 711 111311,” the journalist said in a Tweet.
“This has to do with the work I do. It is not good manners to try to scare lowly journalists. Tunaomba tufanye kazi kwa amani.”
The MP, in a tweet on his verified account, admitted calling the journalist.
He used mean words against Kariuki.
Here is what MP Owino tweeted, in a reply to Kariuki’s Tweet; “Yes I called you na utawacha ujinga yako. It’s both a professional misconduct and unprofessional conduct using your position to influence and air negative news against Baba.”
The journalist has asked the legislator to instead file a formal complaint with authorities or the regulatory body.
Physical and verbal attacks against journalists are expected to increase during the electioneering period in Kenya.
The Media Council of Kenya alongside other stakeholders is set to come up with safety measures for journalists during the period.
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