Two journalists attached to Citizen TV were on the evening of Sunday, March 29, arrested after they were caught in a clash with police officers.
The correspondents, who are based in Uasin Gishu, were taken into custody after they reportedly continued holding interviews past the curfew hours.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Monday, March 30, Royal Media Services Managing Director Wachira Waruru confirmed the incident noting that the two were released shortly after.
"It is true the correspondents were taken into custody where they were held briefly before being released. We are still investigating the motive for their arrest," he stated.
Police officers were forced to lob teargas canisters at the crowd after accusing it of defying the curfew orders hence increasing the risk of Covid-19 spread.
In their defence, the residents claimed that they wanted more time allowed for them to fend for their families.
They further challenged the state to supply them with food if the curfew order was to be observed in the region as most of them were out looking for food.
"The majority of people living here are low-income earners and business booms here at night, so where will they get food if you tell them to be at home by 7 p.m.?
“Imagine hawking has been banned in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and most of us here have been depending on this kind of business for years, how will we survive? Were it not for the curfew, we could be hawking here in the estate at night to earn a living," stated George Odhiambo, one of the residents.
Two other journalists, Peter Wainaina of Nation Media Group and Weru TV journalist Gregory Muriithi were assaulted by police for allegedly working during the curfew hours despite having accreditation as essential service providers.
