As the Maandamano Monday showdown is on, local and international scribes are getting it hard to cover the events as intimidations and strict directives from the police are employed to demean the journalist’s democracy.
Two journalists from African Uncensored were arrested earlier on Monday morning in Mathare covering the scenes were arrested and later released after being detained for 30 minutes in Mathare.
Social media battalions took it and condemned the act leading to the release. African uncensored CEO John Allan Namu took to Twitter to condemn the arrest of the scribes.
“Our African Uncensored journalists; Calvin Rock and Clint Obere have been arrested by police while covering protests in Mathare. We aren’t sure where they are being taken at the moment. This is uncalled for, an affront to our freedom to do our jobs. They need to be released now,” Alln Namu said.
He later made an update that the journalists were released.
Calvin Rock via Twitter said, “After being held for 30 minutes by the police for doing our job, they’ve finally released us.”
Elsewhere, a Nation reporter covering the protests in Nairobi CBD complained of police harassment. On its live blog, Nation Africa reported that the journalist had been asked by police to delete images captured and destroyed their press cards.
K24 Journalist, Joel Chacha also was seen being barred from covering happenings at Nairobi CBD.
NTV reporter and senior investigative reporter, Brian Obuya who was camping in Mathare to cover the anti-government demonstrations from the slum had to scamper for safety. While offering live coverage from Mathare, Obuya found himself in between stone-throwing protesters and armed anti-riot police officers. The media personality was forced to take cover in a shanty as protesters pelt stones at police officers.
Different scribes authorities such as The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) Executive Director, Patience Nyange took on to her Twitter handle to condemn the acts of media being attacked.
Nyange a journalist with wide experience in the media industry urged journalists to raise their voices and condemn the vices.
“Such a sad day! No journalist should be attacked while on duty! We must raise our voice and condemn these attacks in the loudest terms possible.”
Patience Nyange has called on The Media Council council, Kenya Union of Journalists, and Kenya Editors to join hands and expedite the investigation.
