UN alarmed over attack on press in Nairobi, Kenya

UN sounds alarm over attack on press in Nairobi, Kenya

High officials of the United Nations expressed alarm over a raid on the offices of the Standard newspaper in Nairobi and its sister television station, KTN, during which several editions of the paper were burnt, the offices of KTN vandalized, and the station temporarily silenced.

“The UN calls upon the Kenyan government to clarify the circumstances surrounding today’s events at the Standard Group, and to take the appropriate action against those responsible, including legal action if necessary,” Klaus Toepfer, head of the UN Office in Nairobi said.

Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Koïchiro Matsuura also condemned the attacks.

“It is our duty to draw the attention of the authorities in the country to the importance of press freedom in maintaining a credible democracy and upholding the rule of law,” Mr. Matsuura said.

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