The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) directed all media houses that covered the alleged police raid of former interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s home to provide evidence of the same.
In a statement dated Saturday, February 11, the regulatory body noted that it had written to the media houses seeking footage of the incident.
MCK pinpointed that Royal Media Services, Nation Media Group, and the Standard Group were among the media houses in receipt of their letter.
“While carrying out our monitoring function on the evening of February 8, 2023, the MCK came across your station’s coverage of the police raid.
“We request you to provide the Council with actual footage collected by your crew at the scene and the identity of the editors/reporters who were sent there,” read the letter in part.
MCK raised concern that media houses had declined to provide proof of the incident raising more questions among Kenyans. The regulatory body explained that the footage would help clear the air.
“The Council is concerned by the refusal by the media to provide actual footage or photos from such a highly- publicised event, yet they were at the scene. Providing this information will clarify the matter to the public.
“Providing only statements by lawyers and allies of Dr Matiang’i on one side and denials by government officials the next day creates confusion as to who is speaking the truth,” read the statement in part.
It was also noted that a decision on the next course of action would be known after the media houses issue a response.
The lack of video footage and photos of the alleged incident has seen leaders allied to Kenya Kwanza dare the former CS and his legal team to provide CCTV footage.
However, in response, Matiang’i’s lawyer Danstan Omari stated that it was the mandate of the police to collect evidence.
“People say they want us to prove this (the raid) with photos and videos. The burden cannot be shifted to a private citizen. The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) have the power to go and pick up all the footage.
“Can he (Matiang’i) go to the neighbours and pick up CCTV footage? The answer is no,” Omari posed.
The police, on the other hand, distanced themselves from the alleged raid claiming that the former CS choreographed the incident.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE