How police assaulted journalists covering Butere Girls in Nakuru

As the government continues to face criticism over intolerance and increasing authoritarianism, the safety of journalists is no longer guaranteed.

On Wednesday evening, at least six journalists were attacked and assaulted by police officers while covering the chaotic arrest of Cleophas Malala, the former Kakamega Senator, in Nakuru.

The unprovoked attack on innocent journalists occurred at Kirobon Girls High School in Rongai, where 50 students from Butere Girls High School were camping, preparing to present their play "Echoes of War" at the 63rd National Drama and Film Festivals.

The students, along with Malala, were in Nakuru County under a court order that allowed them to present the play at the festival after the State had previously banned it.

Malala was scheduled to supervise a rehearsal for the students ahead of their presentation at the Malvin Jones Academy Hall in Nakuru City.

Police officers, armed with batons and teargas canisters, reacted aggressively towards the journalists, whose only "crime" was to report using their cameras, notebooks, and pens.

As the journalists recorded the unfolding events surrounding Malala's arrest, police descended upon them, injuring six individuals, including two reporters from KTN TV, three from Citizen TV, and one from Inooro TV.

The police appeared agitated by the presence of journalists, beginning by physically assaulting them and subsequently using teargas to disperse the crowd.

As reporters scrambled for safety, police chased them with batons, aiming to inflict harm.

Some journalists fell into ditches, injuring themselves in the process, while others had their equipment damaged.

The attack lasted for nearly an hour and left Peter Kimani of KTN, Maryanne Nyambura of Citizen TV, Evans Asiba of Citizen TV, and Robert Maina of Inooro TV injured.

Others suffered the effects of teargas and reported chest pains. What was shocking to the journalists was that the police fired nine teargas canisters at a crowd of less than 10.

"I do not understand how police can fire nine cans of teargas at a group of less than ten people in the night. It is clear that their mission was to hurt us," said Joseph Kipsang, a photojournalist with the Standard who suffered injuries on the leg after falling in a ditch.

Kipsang's camera was damaged during the attack. Senior police officers in the region have declined to comment on the assault.

It is not the first time for the police in Nakuru to assault journalists, last year at the height of the Generation Z protest, three people, among them a journalist working with Kameme radio and TV were shot.

Wanjeri wa Kariuki was shot three times in the thigh and was taken to a private hospital for treatment.

Yesterday, the Nakuru Journalist Association (NJA) condemned the attack on its members, labeling the police's actions as reckless and a threat to the lives of press personnel.

According to the association, the police action was intended to intimidate journalists and undermine press freedom.

“The police's actions were reckless, unacceptable, unlawful, and a direct attack on press freedom. We demand immediate investigations by the relevant authorities, including the Independent Police Oversight Authority and the State Department of Interior, to take appropriate disciplinary action against the officers involved," they stated.

The Institute of Human Rights (IHR) also expressed concern over the police's attack on journalists, calling on the state to respect the media.

David Koros, the President of IHR, stated in a message from Geneva, Switzerland, that the media must be allowed to fulfill their professional duty of providing information to the public.

“Public information is a human right, and everyone has the right to access it without discrimination. It is hypocritical for the state to frustrate the media while simultaneously relying on it for information, especially during campaign periods,” he said.

Koros noted that media houses and journalists have frequently been victims of press freedom violations in the country, often facing attacks and harassment by police.

 “Some have been brutalized, intimidated, threatened, or even killed, while others have been abducted,” he added.

The human rights defender emphasized that the increasing violations of press freedom pose one of the greatest threats to democracy, particularly when the government and media clash regarding the dissemination of information.

“A free press is essential for holding the Kenya Kwanza Government accountable and for providing vital information to the public,” he stated.

He referenced Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which underscores that journalist safety is crucial for the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of all individuals.

 “President William Ruto, you are violating human rights related to press freedom. You must stop; the Kenyan Constitution is very clear,” Koros said.

The police continued their assault on journalists on Thursday morning at the Malvin Jones Academy in Nakuru City, one of the venues for the 63rd National Drama and Film Festivals.

They arrived early and barred the media from accessing the venue where Butere Girls High School was scheduled to present their controversial play.

They set up barricades, closed the gates, and ordered journalists to stay away.

A standoff ensued, with members of the public gathering at the entrance to the venue.

When the bus carrying the Butere Girls students arrived, the anti-riot police, armed with batons and teargas canisters, sealed off the entrance, allowing only the girls to enter.

Inside the hall, the girls were forced to perform without an audience, but they refused. Instead, they sang the entire national anthem and later stormed out.

The officials at the festival had tried to  force them to perform without an audience or the necessary costumes, soundtracks, and stage set.

As they were about to take the stage in Nakuru City, the scriptwriter, Cleophas Malala, a former Kakamega Senator and UDA Secretary, was being held at the Eldama Ravine Police Station.

Malala sent a text message stating, “As I continue to be held incommunicado at the Eldama Ravine Police Station, the drama team performing my play, ECHOES OF WAR, is being forced to stage it without costumes, soundtracks, or even a proper stage set.”

He expressed regret that this action was not just an attack on a play but a blow to the soul of the creative spirit.

Their teacher mentioned that the students' three trainers were not allowed into the venue, and the students faced harassment from officials.