The National Police Service senior leadership led by the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Thursday apologised to a Citizen TV journalist who was harassed by a police officer in an incident captured on video.
In the morning incident, Agnes Oloo, a photojournalist working at the Royal Media Service-based station, was seen struggling with a police officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) trying to save her camera from being confiscated.
Kanja, while addressing the press on the NPS preparation strategies ahead of the festive season, described the incident as one of an overzealous officer while offering his apologies to the public and the affected journalist.
"I am aware of this case that happened early this morning and I want to take this opportunity and thank the DCI boss because he acted instantly when he received this information,'' Kanja stated.
''We have some overzealous officers and this is an issue we have addressed. We have apologised for the incident," he added.
DCI Director Amin Mohammed also corroborated his boss Kanja noting that as a department, they have taken action to address the incident.
Amin added that the media and the police work together and therefore there was no need for the officer to try to deny the journalist the right to do her work.
''That was a very isolated incident as overall, we have had a very close working relationship with the media. The media and the police are two institutions whose duties demand that we work together,'' Amin stated.
''Immediately that matter was brought to my attention, I made sure that the situation was rectified. We shall continue training officers on how to interact with the public,'' he added.
In a video shared by Oloo's colleague Ayub Abudukadir, which has since gone viral and attracted condemnation from Kenyans and media practitioners, the detective was seen struggling to take away her ca, era despite her remaining adamant.
As Oloo remained determined in her pursuit of not letting go, the officer dressed in a suit then chased her away, sparking condemnation of his professionalism.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke about the incident, Abdikadir explained that his colleague was harassed this morning by a group of detectives at the DCI Headquarters which is located along Kiambu Road.
''The incident occurred this morning at the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road, we had gone to record the summoning of Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thangwa,” Ayub Abdikadir narrated.
The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) has since condemned the incident, demanding immediate action on all police officers who have assaulted journalists in the past.
''We demand that all officers involved in the harassment, violence, and intimidation of journalists, including those at the DCI headquarters and during protests, must face disciplinary and legal consequences,'' CJAK stated in a statement.
''Unresolved cases, including the shooting of Catherine Wanjeri, must be revisited, and those responsible held accountable,'' it added.
