A Standard Media Group journalist was on Wednesday arrested and thoroughly beaten by police from the Quick Response Team (QRT) in Usenge town, Siaya County.
Mr Isaiah Gwengi was attacked, alongside and an activist identified as Rodgers Ochieng, while following up claims of harassment raised by the residents against the QRT police.
Mr Gwengi is said to have suffered head, neck, hand and waist injuries following the merciless beating.
“I was stripped naked and the officers demanded to check if I was circumcised," the journalist lamented.
According to the residents, the police have been harassing and frustrating them for no reason.
“We are not happy with the presence of the QRT in the area. They have resorted to beating up everybody on sight and arresting innocent boda-boda riders operating in Usenge and its environs.” one of the residents indicated.
The Nation reports that trouble began on Tuesday when two traders were arrested, sparking protests among the residents who condemned police brutality and demanded release of the traders.
Tension reigned in the area and on Wednesday as police were moving around, they found Mr Gwengi in the process of interviewing the human rights activist. They pounced on the two and bundled them into a police van.
The Standard Group's Nyanza Bureau Chief John Oywa on Thursday disclosed that Mr Gwengi had been writing stories on police brutality, extortion and illegal charcoal business in the area, hence, was on a collision path with the police.
Bondo Member of Parliament Gideon Ochanda condemned the incident and vowed to ensure that the journalist and the activist were released on free police bond.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett has ordered a probe into the matter.
[caption caption="Journalist Isaac Gwengi "]
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