Citizen TV Journalists Seth Olale and Steve Letoo Banned from Parliament Following #OccupyParliament Coverage

Citizen TV journalists Seth Olale and Steve Letoo have reportedly been banned from accessing the Kenyan Parliament premises. This decision comes in the wake of their extensive coverage of the #OccupyParliament protests, which saw demonstrators breaching security and disrupting parliamentary proceedings.

Side by side Photo Of Steve Letto and Seth Olale who have been reportedly banned from parliament.

Details of the Incident:

The #OccupyParliament protests, organized to demand legislative action on pressing national issues, escalated into a chaotic scene as protestors managed to breach security and enter the Parliament building. Seth Olale and Steve Letoo, renowned for their comprehensive reporting, provided live updates and on-the-ground coverage of the unfolding events.

Parliamentary Response

In response to their coverage, the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has taken the unprecedented step of banning both journalists from Parliament. This move, confirmed by reliable sources within @parliamentkenya, has sparked outcry from media freedom advocates and fellow journalists.

Seth Olale expressed his dismay on Twitter, stating, "*Reliable sources within @parliamentkenya confirm that indeed I have been BANNED from Parliament alongside my colleague @SteveLetoo because of our role in highlighting #OccupyParliament. This reported move by PSC is ill advised & against Media Freedom."

Media Freedom Concerns:

The ban has raised serious concerns about media freedom in Kenya. Critics argue that restricting access to journalists who are merely doing their job undermines the public's right to information and transparency. The decision by the PSC has been widely condemned as an attempt to suppress critical reporting and stifle dissenting voices.

As the controversy unfolds, the banning of Seth Olale and Steve Letoo from Parliament continues to be a focal point of debate within Kenya's media landscape. The incident underscores ongoing challenges faced by journalists in their pursuit of truth and accountability, particularly in environments where press freedoms are increasingly under threat.

Efforts to reach out to the Parliamentary Service Commission for comment on the ban were unsuccessful at the time of publication.