Lawyer Evans Ondieki has strongly condemned the arrest of Kitui blogger Emmanuel Maleve.
Evans Ondieki condemns Emmanuel Maleve arrest
While advocating for his immediate release, Ondieki said the media should not face intimidation because the law protects journalists.
He said there was no reason to detain a journalist who was informing the public about alleged corruption in the area. Ondieki also urged the public to remain vigilant on issues of corruption.
Ondieki, who represents the journalist, said Kenya is a democracy as long as journalists do not spread propaganda.
Emmanuel Maleve is a blogger working with Hope Kings Media.
He was arrested while carrying out his duties. His lawyers, Ondieki and Joel, said authorities had held the reporter incommunicado, which they argued was against the law.
Ondieki cites freedom of media
Ondieki said authorities should release the journalist and return his gadgets. He cited Article 34 of the Constitution, which protects the freedom of the media.
“It is not fair to prevent communication. As citizens, we should be vigilant to guard against this dictatorship,” Ondieki added.
Ondieki thanked the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for rejecting the charge sheet.
He said journalists have a role to communicate with the public. According to the lawyer, the charges did not meet the required threshold, and he demanded the journalist’s release.
He also condemned what he described as the harassment and intimidation of journalists.
Journalist accused after corruption report
Ondieki said the journalist had uncovered alleged corruption issues in the area.
He added that Kenya remains a democracy governed by the Constitution.
The lawyer said they were surprised that authorities arrested a journalist while he was carrying out his duties. He maintained that Article 33 and Article 34 of the Constitution protect the journalist’s right to communicate freely.
Ondieki demanded the immediate release of the journalist, who had allegedly been held incommunicado. He described the detention as inhuman and degrading.
He also said authorities had taken away the journalist’s mobile phone.
According to Ondieki, Maleve had only communicated a story concerning alleged loss of public funds.
Kitui blogger released on Sh50,000 bail
The complainant in the alleged case is an MP from Kitui South.
The journalist has since been released on Sh50,000 cash bail following pressure from lawyers and media leaders.
