Citizen TV’s Emmanuel Too Apologises to Mbeere Man Over ‘Jaba’ Incident During By-Elections

Citizen TV journalist Emmanuel Too has issued a formal apology to a man he offended during the Mbeere North by-elections.

The incident, which took place on 27 November, went viral after a tense exchange during a live reporting assignment.

Too addressed the matter while providing a detailed review of his professional journey throughout 2025. The year was a busy one for the reporter, marked by significant political shifts and national mourning.

The Mbeere North Encounter

During the heat of the Mbeere North by-elections, Too was navigating a chaotic environment to get interviews. He encountered a local man who was carrying a whistle and had his mouth full of ‘jaba’—a local term for khat.

Before starting the interview, Too asked the man to spit out the substance so that he could be heard clearly. “Maybe if you spit the jaba, you will speak well,” Too told him at the time.

The request was met with immediate hostility. The man became very angry and warned the journalist against telling him what to do.

READ MORE: Citizen TV Journalist Struggling to Report in Kiswahili in Viral Clip Speaks Out

He told Too that he would face consequences he had never seen before.

"Don't tell me what to do, my brother. You will cross paths with me in a way you have never seen." — The interviewee's response to Too.

The Journalist’s Apology

Looking back at the event, Too expressed regret for his approach. He admitted that his lack of personal experience with the substance led to a misunderstanding of the situation.

"I take this opportunity to ask for that man's forgiveness," Too stated during his year-end review. He acknowledged that, despite wearing a press badge, he did not have the right to dictate the man's actions.

Too noted that he simply did not understand the culture surrounding it because he is not a user of jaba himself.

Context of a Busy Year

The by-election was a high-stakes event. Too recalled the presence of armed individuals and the sound of shots being fired during the "pata shika" (commotion) of the day.

This incident was part of a larger, more somber year for the journalist. Much of his 2025 was defined by the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on 15 October.

Too was among the last journalists to interview Odinga, noting that while the politician appeared healthy, his voice showed signs of weakness during his final 24-minute speech.

Too concluded his review by noting how these experiences, from national tragedies to personal mistakes in the field, have shaped his reporting style.