On 16 July, Kariuki was shot by a police officer while covering the demonstrations within the Central Business District in Nakuru, 153 km northeast of the capital Nairobi. The journalist was admitted at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital Annex and underwent surgery to remove the three rubber bullets lodged in her left thigh, media reported.
Following the incident, the KUJ issued a statement demanding action against the police officer that targeted Kariuki. “Such barbaric acts have no place in a democratic Society, like Kenya, where journalists are required to play the role of watchdog and source of credible information to citizens,” reads the union’s statement.
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“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) must investigate the officer involved and source of orders to shoot journalists within seven days and prosecute the suspect, failure to which we will institute private prosecution of the officer involved and the commander of the Nakuru operation,” concluded the KUJ.
On 17 July, journalists in Nakuru staged a peaceful march through the streets of the town and gathered at the Central Police Station, where they sought an audience with the Police Commander, Samuel Ndanyi.
IFJ Deputy General Secretary Tim Dawson said: “the targeting and shooting of a journalist who has her press jacket on, is a wilful and degrading act that cannot be accepted in a democratic society. ‘Catherine appears to have been specifically targeted by the police officer(s) in order to stop her from undertaking her assignment and thereby denying Kenyans their right to information. The perpetrator(s) must be brought to justice’.
The IFJ joins its affiliate the KUJ in calling on the Kenyan authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting of journalist Kariuki and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice without any delay. The Kenyan Government must demonstrate its willingness to guarantee the safety of journalists and all citizens especially during this period of national crisis.