Cop Disguised As Journalist Arrests Protestor In Mathare [VIDEO]

UPDATE: The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned the police officer who impersonated a photojournalist to arrest a protestor in Mathare, Nairobi during the anti-government demonstrations.

"The Media Council of Kenya has noted with deep concern cases of security officers camouflaging as journalists covering protests with the intent to arrest protestors.

"Impersonation of journalists by the police is a grave unprofessional misconduct on the part of the police and endangers the lives of journalists in the line of duty. While the Council appreciates the release of journalists who were earlier arrested while covering the protests, the detaining of journalists was unnecessary, arbitrary and ridiculous," stated MCK CEO, David Omwoyo.

A police officer in plain clothes managed to execute a well-coordinated arrest on a protestor in Mathare, Nairobi County during the Azimio la Umoja anti-government demonstrations, after posing as a photojournalist.

In a video seen by Viral Tea, the officer could be seen filming the proceedings of the clash between police officers in anti-riot gear and protestors at the informal settlement, which was turned into a battleground with stones decorating the murram road leading to the slum area.

The protester in a cream shirt could be spotted voicing his complaints, seeming to be vexed by the anger taken out on him by the anti-riot officers and acting in defiance as though he was daring the officers to arrest him.

Here's the video courtesy of Citizen TV:

Meanwhile, the plainclothes cop continued filming the protests before bursting out of the blue and ambushing the protestor from behind, carting him away to a waiting police lorry where he was bundled into, with members of the press following suit.

A section of journalists who spoke to Viral Tea had however condemned the police tactic, arguing that this would incite protesters to attack journalists with the belief that they are disguised as police officers.

"Now genuine journalists will no longer look the same in the eyes of the public," one of them complained to Viral Tea.

In similar developments, Calvin Rock, an Africa Uncensored journalist, was on Wednesday, July 19, apprehended by unknown men in plain clothes driving an unmarked black Subaru.

In a statement, co-founder John-Allan Namu noted that Rock was taking photos of the protests at Jacaranda Grounds prior to the protests, a venue Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga has in the past staged his rallies.

"Our Africa Uncensored reporter Calvin Rock has been apprehended by men in plain clothes driving a black Subaru while he was taking photos of the protests at Jacaranda.

"Calvin identified himself as a journalist to the men who appeared to be police officers but an eyewitness says they nonetheless shoved him into the back of their vehicle and drove off. We are still trying to locate Calvin," Allan-Namu disclosed.

Renowned journalist Stephen Letoo had urged journalists covering the opposition protests in the country to take caution and put their lives as a priority, having been captured in a video of him getting ready to cover the anti-government protests by wearing personal protective equipment.

“It is always good to take precautionary measures especially when you are going to hard zones like today. Our safety is key,” he stated.

He also added that journalists should be branded as 'press' on their protective gear so that police may not mistake them for being part of the protesters.

Media Council of Kenya (MCK) outlines precautionary measures that journalists should observe while covering assignments that may put their lives at risk.

The nationwide anti-government protest led by Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga has seen high-profile people connected to the opposition leader be arrested and individuals injured by police in various parts of the country.

Police officers engage protestors in Mathare, Nairobi on July 19, 2023. /CITIZEN TV