The Media Council of Kenya has issued a strongly worded statement cautioning politicians against using media houses as safe havens to evade law enforcement, following the recent standoff involving Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia.
In a press release dated Thursday, August 6, the Council said media institutions must remain neutral spaces dedicated to journalism, not “asylum centres or crime scenes.”
The statement comes days after Kaguchia spent the night at Royal Media Services studios, citing fears of arrest by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The MP had reportedly sought refuge inside the media premises after learning that security officers were waiting outside to apprehend him over alleged inciteful remarks made during a public rally.
He was later arrested on Monday morning and taken in for questioning.
Addressing the incident, the Council emphasized that while freedom of expression is protected, public figures must remain accountable to the law.
“Media houses are independent platforms for public discourse, not sanctuaries from the rule of law,” the statement read in part.
The Council outlined four key concerns, including the need to preserve the sanctity of the press, warning that newsrooms should not be converted into tactical hideouts.
It further cautioned that such actions risk portraying journalists as complicit in external disputes and could undermine public trust in the media.
“Newsrooms are not safe houses or asylum centres; public figures must vacate premises immediately after their engagements,” the Council added.
The regulator also stressed respect for legal processes, urging politicians to address law enforcement matters outside media premises.
It maintained that allowing such incidents to persist could place undue operational strain on media organizations and threaten editorial independence.
Kaguchia, speaking before his arrest, had defended his decision to remain inside the studios, claiming the manner in which the operation was being conducted raised safety concerns.
He insisted he was willing to cooperate with authorities if due process was followed.
The Council’s intervention now places the spotlight on the delicate balance between press freedom, political activity, and law enforcement, especially as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.