By Dennis Dibondo
Meru Journalists on Thursday held peaceful demonstrations in the streets of Nkubu town to protest after a primary school head teacher attacked journalists.
Buuri-e-Kingori Primary School headteacher Mugambi Nguthari attacked Nyambene TV correspondent Festus Mwiti and Mwangaza TV’s Clinton Koome as they were in the line of duty outside the school on Wednesday.
The two journalists were recording grievances for parents about the school administration.
A female parent who was addressing the journalists was also assaulted and has recorded a statement with the police.
Koome said they had been called by parents who were complaining that the headteacher had been assaulting their children.
Also on the spot is a Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) Meru chairman Benard Kiragu who is on record threatening to incite headteachers to beat journalists who go to do stories in schools.
The Media Council of Kenya, the Meru Press Club and Imenti Press Club condemned the incident terming it an encroachment to press freedom.
The headteacher was on Thursday arraigned before Nkubu senior Magistrate Solomon Ng’etich.He was charged with two counts damaging equipment of Sh.30,000 belonging to a journalist and obstructing a journalist from carrying out their work.
He was released on Sh30,000 cash bail or Sh50,000 bond. The case will continue on July 30, 2025.
34 Meru journalists attended the court session and after the case they demonstrated around the streets of Nkubu town and went to Nkubu police demandng also the arrest Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) Meru chairman Benard Kiragu who is on record threatening journalists they will beaten up if they go to schools to follow up stories.
Meru Press Club chairman David Muchui said beating up a journalist is violating the law as press freedom and access to information is enshrined in the constitution article 33 and 34.
“We want him to be a lesson to others who have such behaviour wh want to beat up journalists or damage their equipment,” Muchui said.
Muchui urged the court to take stern measures against the headteacher.
Muchui thanked police for arresting the headteacher he also urged them to arrest Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) Meru chairman Benard Kiragu who is on record threatening to incite headteachers to beat journalists who go to do stories in schools.
“When Kiragu was called regarding the incident instead of apologising he went ahead to say he will incite headteachers to beat up journalists who show up at schools,” Muchui added.
The journalists threatened to hold more demonstrations if Kiragu was not arrested.
Mt Kenya Times 
Elizabeth Angira