Homa Bay County Assembly security guards on Monday blocked members of the press from accessing the house despite being invited to cover an address by the Public Accounts and Investments Committee chairperson Julius Gaya.
The guards stationed at the Assembly’s entrance were under instructions not to allow the journalists access and ensured they locked them out of the premises.
Gaya, who is the Central Karachunyo ward representative, blamed the Assembly Clerk Bob Kephers Otieno of issuing the order. He said the Assembly was a public place which should essentially be accessed by the media. He said the precedence was unacceptable as it will deny the people of Homa Bay the right to get information on what takes place in the House.
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“The media is the only way for Homa Bay residents to know what is taking place in the County Assembly. Barring journalists from accessing the assembly will deny residents information they are supposed to get and this should not be allowed,” said Gaya.
The clerk, who later admitted having issued the order to bar the media from covering the address, said the MCAs had failed to notify his office before asking the journalists to cover the function.
He said the MCAs must always seek the Speaker’s or his permission before seeking press coverage of any nature at the Assembly.
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