The Kenya Editors Guild has strongly condemned the abduction and arrest of Veteran Journalist Macharia Gaitho.
Gaitho was captured in a video on Wednesday, July 17, being forcibly placed into a vehicle by a group of men. The DCI later clarified that it was a case of mistaken identity and he was subsequently released.
KEG President Zubeida Kananu, accompanied by other members, stood in solidarity with Gaitho at Karen Police Station, where he was taken by DCI officers.
Addressing the media, Kananu highlighted the increasing harassment of journalists by the police.
She mentioned the case of Media Max Journalist Catherine Wanjeri, who was shot and injured in the leg while covering antigovernment protests in Nakuru on Tuesday, July 16. The guild has demanded a swift investigation into these incidents.
Journalists also faced teargas and intimidation from police officers in Nairobi CBD, with some officers wielding rungus and ordering them to leave the area and stop recording.
Zubeida expressed outrage at this intimidation, hinting at a potential strike action with a seven-day notice.
The assaults on journalists have sparked public outrage as well. Zubeida questioned the reasons behind the fear of informing citizens about ongoing events, stating,
"We will not allow the media to be undermined and silenced in this manner. Threats such as denying us advertisements for publishing certain stories are unacceptable."
She dismissed the DCI's explanation for Gaitho's arrest, stating, "It's very painful, and to say it was a case of mistaken identity, where are they now? They should come and explain to us about this mistaken identity. Who doesn't know Macharia Gaitho? They cannot deceive us with claims of mistaken identity."
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