Citizen TV Journalists Attacked By Armed Gang, Allan Namu's 2 Journalists Arrested

UPDATE: Two journalists, Calvin Rock and Clint Obere, who are attached to Africa Uncensored were set free by the police after intervention by John Allan Namu and Citizen TV's Hassan Mugambi.

"After being held for 30 minutes by the police for doing our job, they've finally released us. Thanks to Hassan Mugambi and quick response by John Allan Namu," tweeted Calvin Rock.

Citizen TV senior reporter Seth Olale revealed that he was among a team of journalists from local and international media who were on Monday, March 27 attacked and robbed by a knife-wielding gang in Kibra, Nairobi.

The journalist tweeted "We have been attacked" while adding that a reporter from the Royal Media Services (RMS) was beaten up.

Reports had indicated that the journalists were caught in the middle of the clash between police and protesters.

Scene after an RMS vehicle was damaged during protests in Kibra on March 27, 2023. /TWITTER

The knife-wielding gang had chased away all the media teams who were deployed in the area to cover the skirmishes.

The gang also reportedly stole wallets, a camera and a phone belonging to one of the international journalists during the mayhem.

Moreover, a press vehicle belonging to RMS was pelted with stones from protesters who wanted to fight off police in their bid to march to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), an exchange which ended up damaging the vehicle's windscreen.

Meanwhile, in similar police and protestor battles in Mathare, John-Allan Namu revealed that two journalists attached to his media house, Africa Uncensored, were arrested while covering the protests while expressing uncertainty about where they were taken.

"Our Africa Uncensored journalists, Calvin Rock and Clint Obere have been arrested by police while covering protests in Mathare.

"We aren't sure where they are being taken at the moment. This is uncalled for, an affront to our freedom to do our jobs. They need to be released now," he tweeted.

Moreover, NTV Reporter, Brian Obuya was forced to take cover as protesters in Mathare pelted stones at police officers blocking their way to Nairobi CBD, hiding in makeshift shops to report live the proceedings as the battle between protestors and police went on.

While trying to evade the chaos, he was however able to get behind the contingent of police officers and managed to run to safety- alongside the NTV crew.

On the second week of mass demonstrations that kicked off at 9.00 am, protestors and police engaged in running battles in Mathare, Kibra and Kisumu as most of the Nairobi CBD was calm.

However, business owners in the CBD were forced to close their shops in fear of the demonstrations even as police cut off traffic access to roads leading to State House and the CBD.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome had affirmed on Sunday, March 26 that the demos were illegal but the Azimio coalition remained firm on continuing the demonstrations despite the tough warning.