(AFMF/IFEX) – The Standard Group is taking the government to court to seek damages over the attacks on its offices and printing press by hooded police officers on 1 March 2006. In a petition filed on 6 March, lawyers Chacha Odera and Jinaro Kibet, representing the Standard Group, are seeking declarations that the entry, search […]
(AFMF/IFEX) – The Standard Group is taking the government to court to seek damages over the attacks on its offices and printing press by hooded police officers on 1 March 2006.
In a petition filed on 6 March, lawyers Chacha Odera and Jinaro Kibet, representing the Standard Group, are seeking declarations that the entry, search and other acts perpetrated by the officers at Standard premises were unlawful, illegal and in breach of the company’s fundamental rights and freedoms under the Constitution.
The Standard Group argues that the raids were in gross violation of the company’s fundamental rights and freedoms and an affront to the rule of law. The company says the police did not have search warrants; neither did they take an inventory of what they seized from the offices. It also seeks a declaration that vandalizing and confiscating the Group’s assets and property is illegal and in gross violation of its rights to protection from deprivation of property. The Standard Group argues that the illegal raids, search and detention of its employees amounts to subjecting the Group and its employees to inhuman and degrading punishment and treatment, contrary to the protections guaranteed by the Constitution.
The lawyers also asked the court to declare the shutting down of Kenya Television Network (KTN) a violation of the network’s fundamental rights to communicate ideas and information without interference.
Attorney General Amos Wako, Police Commissioner Major General Hussein Ali, and National Security Minister John Michuki have been named as respondents. The Standard Ltd. and Baraza Ltd. are the first and second petitioners.
In an affidavit, the Group’s company secretary, Nelly Matheka, noted that, following the publication of a story touching on an alleged meeting between President Kibaki and former minister Kalonzo Musyoka, “The Standard” received a letter from the government spokesman threatening to take unspecified action against the newspaper if demands for an apology were not met.
Subsequently, Information Minister Mutahi Kagwe issued a warning to the press, which clearly referred to “The Standard”, stating that the government would not be intimidated by the press.
Demonstrations have been planned for 7 March in Nairobi and other urban centres to show solidarity with the media over the government crackdown.
