Police targeting journalists during ‘Nane Nane’ protests. Police are on the scene once more after beating and threatening reporters reporting the Thursday ‘Nane Nane’ protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
Media teams were specifically police target tear gas canisters. Hence resulting in injuries to a few journalists.
The media personnel were subjected to blows and kicks by the officers at close quarters.
Menacing and trigger-happy police officers chose to attack the messenger. This happened as soon as media teams set up shop in the CBD at nine in the morning.
A female journalist got subjected to the cops’ rage and struck with the iconic long wooden sticks.
Journalists soon realized that cops, who were heard talking quietly, wanted to keep them at bay.
Throughout the day, police periodically interrupted live broadcasts detonating tear gas canisters beneath the feet of journalists. And they also directed tear gas canisters toward areas where members of the Fourth Estate were present.
Police along Kimathi Street attacking the press
Just after 3 p.m., the police at the intersection of Kimathi Street were practically yelling for the journalists’ blood.
At this moment, chaos ensued as incensed journalists questioned the anti-riot police about their decision to turn their weapons on them. Police targeting journalists during ‘Nane Nane’ protests
Unfazed, journalists engaged anti-riot police in a verbal and physical altercation. It took approximately thirty minutes while trying to reveal their faces.
Stephen Letoo, a reporter for Citizen TV, was knocked out during this altercation due to smoke inhalation, but a colleague helped him recover.
A foreign journalist was also injured after being struck on the right foot. And if that was not enough, the cops shot CNN journalist Larry with tear gas canisters.
Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli could not provide a suitable response when questioned about the persistent harassment of the media and instead instructed the police to work with reporters covering protests. Also, read
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