Journalists in Mombasa County on Wednesday, July 24 joined their colleagues from across the country in staging demos to voice their concerns over the alleged misuse of police authority while covering ongoing anti-government protests.
This demonstration comes in the wake of alarming incidents, including last week when a Nakuru-based journalist was shot three times in the leg by police while she was covering anti-government protests.
The incident in Nakuru preceeded the one in which veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho was arrested arbitrarily, sparking significant public outrage before his eventual release.
The rally began in the Mapembeni area, where journalists carried eye-catching placards proclaiming messages like “Don’t crush the messenger” and chanted, “We are not criminals.”
Their march spanned several kilometers, winding through Moi Avenue, Nkurumah Road, and Mama Ngina Drive, culminating at the County Commissioner’s office at Uhuru na Kazi.
At the forefront of the protest were Mombasa Press Club chairman Omar Abdhalla and Coast Media FC official Kevin Odit, who, along with their colleagues, presented a petition to Mombasa County Commissioner Noor Mohammed.
In response, Mohammed asserted that police have never intentionally targeted journalists during demonstrations, although he acknowledged that journalists sometimes find themselves caught in the midst of protests.
This local protest is part of a broader, nationwide movement among Kenyan journalists aimed at condemning government actions against media professionals.
The Media Council of Kenya has also criticized instances of security personnel disguising themselves as journalists to apprehend protesters, raising serious concerns about press freedom and safety.
Human rights groups have condemned the excessive force used against journalists, medical personnel, and protesters, labeling such actions as unjustified and disproportionate.
Calls for accountability have been directed at the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), urging them to investigate and take action against officers who have engaged in violent tactics during these protests.
