The Speaker of the County Assembly Rt. Hon. Dominic Rono hands a copy of a book to Triz Cherorot of Kass TV International. The journalist together with his colleague Vinny had paid a courtesy call to the Speaker in his office yesterday. During the meeting, the Speaker assured the journalists of his commitment in ensuring greater access of the assembly by Media personnel. This comes in the wake of reports circulating in the social media claiming that journalists have been barred from covering the county assembly proceedings. The report also purports that the County Assembly Speaker Hon Dominic Rono has been issuing instructions to block the media from accessing the assembly.
We wish to respond by saying that the reports are untrue and a part of concerted efforts by uncredited media personnel to taint the image of the County Assembly. It should be noted that the County Assembly is open to not only the media but also to members of the public as provided for by the County Assembly Standing Orders. Indeed, accredited media personnel have been covering the county assembly and at no time have we received any complaints regarding access or coverage. Members of the assembly have also been granting press conferences at the assembly precincts regarding various issues.
It is therefore dishonest to claim that journalists have been barred from covering the assembly proceedings. Indeed, the standing orders require that all journalists wishing to cover the proceedings get accreditation from the county assembly to cover the assembly.
We wish to reiterate that the County Assembly proceedings remain open for coverage by external media subject to accreditation as per the standing orders.
(4) No camera or other recording or broadcasting equipment shall be allowed in the House without authorization.
(5) Accredited journalists shall be allowed access to designated areas for purposes of following the proceedings and taking notes and any journalist so allowed shall observe the Standing Orders and these Rules.