Police used an amateur video to track a man captured assaulting a Nation Media Group's television journalist at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County on Sunday, November 7.
Bernard Isindu Shitiabayi alias Ben Kelly was apprehended by detectives on Friday, November 12, and was grilled over the incident where NTV reporter, Zacchaeus Mwasame, was manhandled by goons.
Shitiabayi was trailed for five days by detectives assigned to the case. Police believed he orchestrated the violence and led other unidentified individuals in disrupting the match between Kakamega Homeboyz and Bandari FC.
Detectives are holding the suspect at a police station in Kakamega and will arraign him on Monday, November 15.
A Bandari FC player is also under investigation for causing grievous harm to the match referee. The footballer was captured beating the official who awarded Kakamega Homeboyz a controversial penalty in the 93rd minute.
Homeboyz, however, lost the match, forcing its fans to rush into the stadium to confront Bandari FC players and the referee.
Mwasame, who covered the confrontation, was caught up in the melee after the fans accused him of recording the incident on tape with the intention of revealing their identity.
The journalist showcased his press card in defence but was subjected to more beatings by nearly 13 goons.
A video that went viral showed some fans attempting to shield him from the blows and kicks from the agitated mob.
Emergency service providers rushed him to Kakamega Referral Hospital where was administered first aid before being discharged.
The match ended at a 1-1 stalemate. Meanwhile, all footballing activities were suspended by a caretaker committee that was formed after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) was disbanded.
The Justice Aaron Ringera-led committee announced that the move was part of its exercise to streamline activities at the scandal-ridden FKF. The corruption accusations and misuse of public funds has led to the arrest of FKF President, Nick Mwendwa.
Mwendwa was picked on Friday, November 12, by detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). He is being held at the Gigiri Police Station as investigations on several corruption cases continue.
