Nairobi, Kenya – Four journalists were assaulted by police officers in Nairobi during coverage of protests in the Majengo area of the Pumwani district. The unrest that prompted the demonstrations began on Tuesday evening after a local teenager was fatally shot by police during an operation.
The incident involving the journalists occurred the following morning, as they were concluding their reportage on the events. Among them was Justine Ondieki, a reporter for the local outlet Eastleigh Voice, who was violently attacked by officers. As NTV camerawoman Leah Wambui Kurema began filming the assault, she was forcibly removed from her vehicle by a member of the General Service Unit, the paramilitary wing of the Kenya Police Service. She was then assaulted and compelled to erase the footage.
Dennis Onsongo, a photojournalist for NTV, experienced physical abuse from the police while attempting to assist Kurema. Simultaneously, Enos Teche, a photojournalist with The Star newspaper, found his efforts to document the event thwarted. Teche reported that one officer blocked him while another threatened him with a raised baton, commanding him to leave the area.
In response to these events, National Police Service spokesman Muchiri Nyaga publicly condemned the attacks on the journalists. Nyaga assured that measures are being taken to identify the officers involved and promised that appropriate actions would follow.
The assaults on reporters by law enforcement officials highlight ongoing risks that journalists face in Kenya, particularly when covering demonstrations or politically sensitive events. These incidents raise significant concerns about press freedom, as media personnel are often targeted while performing their crucial role of informing the public.
Such actions against the press are widely criticized by both local and international rights groups, advocating for greater protection and freedoms for journalists. These organizations argue that a free press is essential for the maintenance of democracy and the rule of law, especially in regions where governmental transparency is lacking.
The recent violence against journalists in Nairobi serves as a stark reminder of the perils that these individuals often encounter in the line of duty. It also emphasizes the urgent need for reforms within the Kenyan police force to ensure the safety and freedom of the press, which is fundamental in holding authorities accountable and upholding democratic values.