Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga and the United Nations have condemned police excesses in dealing with demonstrators as well as attacks on journalists covering the protests, which they have warned threatens democracy and the exercise of the freedom of expression and of the media in the country.
In a statement, Mr Odinga said the police excesses, especially during the Nane Nane (August 8) protests were of deep concern especially “arbitrary arrests, detentions, and excessive use of force by the police, which led to the harassment of peaceful protesters and journalists, including a member of the international press, Larry Madowo of CNN.”
“These actions are not only unacceptable but also a direct violation of the rights enshrined in our Constitution. The right to peaceful assembly, the freedom of expression, and the protection of journalists are fundamental pillars of our democracy, pillars that we have fought long and hard to establish and must continue to protect,” Mr Odinga said in a statement.
“I want to make it clear that I stand with the people in their quest for justice, freedom, and the full realisation of their rights. I strongly condemn the actions taken by the police and call upon the relevant authorities to respect the constitutional rights of all Kenyans. I also urge the immediate release of those who were unjustly detained and a thorough investigation into the misconduct of the officers involved,” he added.
Cecilia Ngunjiri, a journalist with Real Stories Media, was covering the police and the protesters in action at the precincts of the National Archive when the police turned on her and her colleagues. Nation .
The police brutality on journalists was sporadic, as witnessed by several Nation Media Group journalists covering the protests.
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Citizen TV's Stephen Letoo, having experienced his share of the ordeal, decried: “How Police today have turned to harm journalists at the CBD is totally unacceptable…several scribes injured."‘Nane Nane March’ protests” Citizen Tv posted on X at 5,33pm, accompanied by a video showing the brutal action of the police on the press.
Following the spate of attacks on journalists, the Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo urged the state and the press to find a “common ground” while UNESCO called on all authorities concerned to "ensure the safety of journalists covering protests around the world, in accordance with international norms and human rights obligations."
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“It is because of you that we have known some other bad guys [who have infiltrated the peaceful demos],” he said. “And in this regard, I just urge the fourth estate so that we unite and work together as a team as we continue making sure we save our country for a better Kenya.”Catherine Wanjeri was shot by police when covering the Generation Z protests.
