A Murang’a-based Nation journalist Ndung’u Gachane was arrested on Thursday outside the Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) as he attempted to take pictures of police officers manning the institute’s gate.
Gachane was arrested after Muwasco employees accused him of bias in his report of the ongoing wrangles between Governor Mwangi wa Iria and current Muwasco chair Peter Munga.
In Thursday’s publication of Daily Nation, Gachane ran a story on its front page with the title: In Murang’a a battle of egos pits Wa Iria, Munga.
This, it seems, did not sit well with the institute’s workers as Gachane reports that he was met by hostile officers when he attempted to take pictures.
The officers were stationed at the gate to protect the workers inside the facility who were left stranded when their exit was blocked by sand and stones by the governor.
The police officers descended on Gachana, roughing him up and in the process, the journalist lost his wallet which contained Ksh 4,500.
“Even after identifying myself as a journalist they attacked and handcuffed me. I recorded a statement at the Murang’a Police Station and I hope that action will be taken,” he stated.
Gachane, who suffered injuries to his arm and thigh, was released after the intervention of County AP Commander Mohammed Farah and received treatment at the Murang’a County Referral Hospital.
Ongoing wrangles at Muwasco were occasioned when Governor Mwangi wa Iria replaced current sitting chair Munga with Joseph Kimura in a move that saw employees protest the government’s over-involvement in the company.
Munga was, however, reinstated by judge Byram Ongaya of the Labour Court who also prohibited the governor from interfering with the company’s operations.
