NAIROBI, Kenya — The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) has condemned the escalating police harassment and violence against journalists, following an alarming incident at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters on December 5.
Reporters gathered to cover the questioning of Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangw’a over chaos at a Limuru event found themselves under attack.
Citizen TV videographer Agnes Oloo was physically assaulted by a plainclothes officer who threatened to destroy her camera.
TV47 journalist William Moige was also harassed, his phone confiscated, and police demanded he delete footage.
The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has apologized, describing the incident as the actions of an “overzealous” officer.
DCI Director Mohamed Amin echoed this, labeling it an “isolated case.” However, CJAK strongly refutes these characterizations.
“This incident is neither isolated nor unprecedented,” CJAK Secretary General Brian Obuya noted in a statement. “It is part of a systematic pattern of harassment, intimidation, and impunity targeting journalists.”
Obuya highlighted several disturbing cases. Journalist Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki was shot four times by police while covering anti-tax protests earlier this year.
Despite clear evidence, no action has been taken against the officer responsible.
More recently, Nation journalist Hillary Kimuyu faced intimidation after publishing a story on the mismanagement of a PSV insurer.
Summoned to the DCI, Kimuyu was threatened with criminal charges and had his phone confiscated—a clear violation of constitutional protections for journalistic sources.
These incidents, according to CJAK, contribute to a “climate of fear” that undermines journalists’ ability to operate safely and independently.
He pointed out that these actions violate key constitutional protections particularly Article 34 on Freedom of the media and Article 35 on the Right to access information.
They also breach international frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which emphasize the critical role of press freedom in democracy.
CJAK has outlined a series of demands, including:
1. Immediate accountability: Disciplinary and legal action against all officers involved in harassment and violence.
2. Reforms: Concrete measures from the police leadership to end systemic attacks on journalists.
3. Guarantees of safety: Public assurances to protect journalists and uphold their constitutional rights.
4. Resolution of past cases: Justice for victims like Catherine Wanjeri and the return of confiscated property, including Hillary Kimuyu’s phone.
5. Commitment to transparency: Preventive measures to ensure such incidents do not recur.
“Journalists are not enemies of the state,” Obuya emphasized. “They are the voice of the public, essential for democracy, accountability, and transparency.”
CJAK has urged citizens, civil society, and international organizations to rally against what it describes as a growing culture of impunity within law enforcement.
It also called on the Inspector General of Police to institute reforms to prevent Kenya from becoming a police state.
“This is not just about journalists. It is about protecting the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution and ensuring that police officers act according to the law,” Obuya added.
