Nation Media Group journalist and Sunday Nation editor Walter Menya is set to appear in court today on allegations of soliciting a bribe to write a damaging story.
The Nation Media Group had disclosed that Mr Menya was apprehended for writing a story that implicated civil servants active in Friends of Jubilee Foundation, an organization backing President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election bid.
Police now claim that Mr Menya was arrested for demanding money from an unnamed politician on several occasions.
"He has been demanding money on several occasions to kill the alleged story. At different times, he has received Sh35,000 through Mpesa and today he was arrested receiving Sh20,000," National Police Spokesman George Kinoti said in a statement.
In the Sunday Nation this week, Mr Menya wrote a story about the Friends of Jubilee Foundation through which senior civil servants are illegally participating in the campaigns.
Nation Media Group, through a spokesman, said the circumstances surrounding Mr Menya’s arrest were unclear and they were waiting for further information from the police.
“We wish to reaffirm our commitment to press freedoms and zero tolerance on any unethical behaviour in accordance with our editorial policy.
"We request quick clarification on the facts surrounding Mr Menya’s arrest and thank all our readers and stakeholders for their continued loyalty and support,” said Mr Clifford Machoka, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs.
In 2015, an editor from the same company, John Ngirachu, was arrested at Parliament buildings for writing a story on Sh3.6 Billion flawed procurement at the Ministry of Interior.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery stated he would be released once he revealed the source of his information.
Standard Media Group reporter Alphonce Shiundu was also arrested in the same year for writing about what the government termed as 'sensational information' about expenditures at the same ministry.
In March 2017, another Standard Media Group journalist Isaiah Gwengi was assaulted in Siaya County as he conducted investigations on excessive force used by police in the area.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) is expected to hold peaceful demonstrations today protesting the mistreatment of journalists.
