NTV cameraman Erick Isinta on Thursday, March 30, escaped death by a whisker after three teargas canisters were lobbed inside a car he was travelling in.
While recounting the incident, the journalist revealed that the first canister hit his face and got into the mask that he was wearing.
Seconds later, another one was thrown into the jacket that he was wearing, which caused a burning sensation on his belly.
However, he added that he threw it out as he sought relief from the choking tear gas fumes.
His reprieve, nonetheless, did not last for long as the police hit his face with another canister which led to the deformation of his right eye and cheeks.
"Before we rejoined the highway, the police threw a teargas canister our way, and it was too much. We could not see the way ahead. I had a gas mask and a helmet. It even got inside the mask. I had to remove it.
"Another one was thrown inside the jacket and it started burning me. I had to remove the jacket. I took it out and threw it. Another one was hit on my face and that caused this impact," he stated.
Other journalists, including KTN cameraman Tomon Abuna, were injured during the protests. Property belonging to media houses was also damaged.
The attack on the journalists also caused an uproar among Kenyans, who called for the arrest of the rogue officer captured on video lobbying tear gas canisters inside the vehicle carrying journalists.
Notably, a section of officers also came to the aid of journalists and offered first aid - as in the case of Abuna.
In the video captured by Africa Uncensored, the officer was seen breaking the vehicle's windscreen before lobbying teargas inside the vehicle.
"The most targeted are camerapersons and photographers who have been targeted by the perpetrators of acts of hooliganism and criminality whose interest is to destroy any evidence of their acts captured on camera," the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) condemned the attack.
Nonetheless, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali - a former KTN journalist- an ally of President William Ruto and Kenya Kwanza politician, argued that the journalists were to blame.
"The mistake the journalist did was to be embedded with politicians - a dangerous trend for journalists. They must choose to report facts or be Azimio gun for hire, which they are," he claimed.
His sentiments sparked an uproar, with journalists, politicians and other Kenyans condemning him. Ali, a former KTN investigative journalist, was voted into power owing to his stance on criticising corruption and exposing scandals. While serving as a reporter, the anchor often filled cases with the police, claiming that his life was in danger.
Police are yet to comment on the attack on journalists.
