At least six journalists were attacked and assaulted by police officers while covering the chaotic arrest of former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala in Nakuru County on Wednesday night.
The assault, which took place outside one of the three venues hosting the drama festival finalists, left at least six journalists injured, including three reporters from Citizen TV, two from KTN, and another one from Inooro TV.
The incident ensued after Malala was blocked from accessing Kirobon Girls Secondary School, where Butere Girls High School students were rehearsing for the play "Echoes of War."
Being the scriptwriter of the play, Malala had gone to supervise the students' rehearsals following a court order that directed him to be in Nakuru for the 63rd National Drama and Film Festivals.
Agitated by the journalists, the law enforcement officers began threatening the reporters before roughing them up and subsequently teargassing them.
The videos and images shared online showed several reporters scampering for safety as a group of police officers ran after them, aiming to assault them further.
Among the journalists who were injured are Citizen TV reporters Maryanne Nyambura and Evans Asiba, Peter Kimani of KTN News, and Robert Maina of Inooro TV.
While condemning the attack, the Nakuru Journalists Association (NJA) accused the police officers of recklessly endangering the lives of the journalists and intimidating the press.
According to the Association, the actions by the police were unacceptable, unlawful, and a direct attack on press freedom, adding that it was not the first time journalists had been assaulted by Nakuru police officers.
To address the matter, the journalists called on the relevant authorities, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Interior Ministry, to take appropriate disciplinary action against the officers involved.
“Such continued harassment is a dangerous trend and poses a serious threat to the freedom of expression and the right of the media to report without fear or intimidation," read part of the statement by the Association.
"The media plays a vital role in a democratic society, and any attempts to silence or intimidate journalists must be met with firm resistance and accountability."
