Kenyan journalists protest against police brutality

Kisii-based Journalists match in Kisii town in solidarity with other journalists across the country against police brutality. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Journalists have today staged protests across the country, demanding justice against police brutality.

Armed with placards and the need to demand justice for colleagues injured while in the line of duty, the media professionals walked in major towns across the country, presenting their pleas to the police. 

These demonstrations were sparked by the shooting of Nakuru journalist Catherine Kariuki, who was shot by police while covering anti-government protests last week. 

In a separate incident, veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho was also abducted in a case of mistaken identity.

In Nairobi, journalists led by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Kenya Editors' Guild (KEG) marched to the office of the Inspector General of Police to present their demands, which included a thorough investigation into the attacks on journalists and the arrest of those responsible. 

Journalists demonstrate outside parliament to call for restraint from brutality witnessed during Gen Z demos. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Journalists demonstrate outside parliament to call for restraint from brutality witnessed during Gen Z demos. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Journalists demonstrate outside parliament to call for restraint from brutality witnessed during Gen Z demos. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Police Spokesperson Resila Onyango, receiving the petition on behalf of the Acting IG, assured that their concerns would be addressed.

In Kisii, journalists submitted a similar petition to the County Commissioner, while in Nakuru County, police chief Loyford Kibaara emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive relationship between the media and the government, stating, "We must ensure that you work in an environment that is free and fair."

Journalists demonstrate in Mombasa, calls for restraint from brutality witnessed during Anti-Government demos. [File, Standard]

A section of the media protest as they match along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi on July 24,2024 over police brutality and attacks on media. freedom [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

This is not the first time the media has faced attacks from the government. 

Last month, Standard Media Group journalist Justus Macharia was brutally bundled into a police vehicle and later thrown off the speeding vehicle. 
Collins Olunga, a journalist with Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Nairobi, was injured by a teargas canister thrown by police and was hospitalised. His colleague John Omido with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) was sprayed with water mixed with harmful chemicals, a combination used to disperse protester. 

On Wednesday, the journalists strongly condemned these acts, stating they violate their constitutional rights. violated

Protests also took place in other counties, including Mombasa, Machakos, Nyeri, and Samburu among others.