“No Evidence to Prove Dr. Matiang’i’s Home was Raided”, Media Council of Kenya

By: Jane Beatrice Obila

According to a press statement released by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) today, there are neither photos nor videos to justify that the Kenyan government’s security agents broke into the home of former Interior Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Fred Matiang’i.

This conclusion comes after MCK notified media houses to provide proof of the alleged aforementioned raid in a bid to defend and protect them from accusations of airing fake news as the Constitution states.

A unique monitoring system used by the MCK captured several articles written by mainstream media houses about the event. Still, none has in-depth details of Dr. Matiang’i, his home, and security agents alleged to have forcibly entered his home.

According to the press statement, the media houses were to provide the evidence as a way of not only showing professionalism and responsibility in terms of public interest issues but also disapproving of the accusation made by the government agencies

MCK has further stated that the lack of information on photos and videos they requested and even apologies and correction of the news aired makes the media remain accused of misleading the public and not adhering to the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya that demands accuracy and credibility of news and stories being aired and published as well.

According to the MCK, the failure of the media to adhere to the mentioned code in issues like this is a threat to democracy, and it becomes an agent of impunity.

The media body expressed that they have a right to protect Kenyans from unfair coverage and media practice and that is the main reason they released the press statement with the title “MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ALLEGED RAID AT FORMER CABINET SECRETARY DR MATIANGI’S HOUSE FAILED KENYANS.”