We Use Reasonable Force Against the Media to Protect Them From Danger – IGP Ochola

Addressing the media today, 8^th January 2021, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Martin Okoth Ochola, spoke about the clashes between different security personnel and media on the campaign trails of opposition candidates.

Ochola claims that media is targeting the police to portray it as brutal and partisan. 

“The Police are not targeting the media. The media are targeting the police by portraying it as brutal and siding with the government,” he said.

The Inspector General also said the police is committed to using force to protect the media personalities from danger, citing this as reason for the clashes between the two parties.

“We shall use reasonable force against the media to help them not to go where danger is,” he added.

Regarding the antagonism between the DPCs and the bodyguards to the presidential candidates, Ochora said that the bodyguards to the candidates are supposed to be under the command of the DPC of the area of location at any moment.

“I think the problem has been command and control. Lack of command and control. We have always told the officers who are seconded to the Electoral Commission and were given as escorts to the presidential candidates that wherever you are, there must be command and control. When you are at a district with your principal, you are under the command of the DPC in that area,” Ochola said.

He also said that those who have violated this order of command and control have been arrested and replaced.

“These incidences have occurred, I think, due to lack of consciousness by those escorts. I want to assure the country that we have taken action. In those incidences, we have had to arrest them and replace them,” he said.

Incidences of antagonism between the different operatives have occurred frequently as the presidential candidates traversed the country with the most pronounced being with bodyguards to John Katumba, Nobert Mao and Bobi Wine.