The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned the arrest of Citizen TV journalist Francis Odee while he was covering protests against rising fuel prices in Nairobi’s Central Business District, calling for accountability and enhanced protection of journalists.
Odee was reportedly arrested Tuesday along Kimathi Street, where demonstrators had taken to the streets to protest the latest increase in petroleum prices.
He was later released following the intervention of Central Police Station Sub County Police Commander Patrick Gogo.
In a statement, the MCK said video footage showed officers dragging the journalist near Kenyatta Avenue before bundling him into a police vehicle, despite his identification as a journalist on assignment.
He was taken to Central Police Station alongside two protesters but was not booked, according to the council.
The council took exception to the temporary arrest, saying press freedom was a constitutionally protected right that must be respected, including during public demonstrations.
It said the Central police boss had promised to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest and that the council would follow up with the police for further details on the investigations.
"We will be following up closely with the police for further details on the investigations.
Press freedom is a constitutionally protected right," he said.
The MCK called for urgent security dialogues involving the National Police Service, media houses, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and other stakeholders to ensure journalists can work safely, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
"We call for urgent security dialogues," MCK said.
The council said journalists must be allowed to cover demonstrations without intimidation, harassment or violence, adding that perpetrators of violations against media workers should be held accountable.
The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) also condemned the incident, with its president, Zubeidah Kananu, expressing concern over the treatment of Odee during the protests.
Kananu said the journalist had been manhandled and sustained injuries despite being identifiable as a media professional covering the demonstrations.
“Despite being clearly identifiable as an accredited media professional, Odee was manhandled, roughed up, and subsequently bundled into a police vehicle before being taken to the Central Police Station,” Kananu said.
The guild called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to apologise and urged authorities to stop the profiling, harassment and arbitrary detention of accredited media workers.
The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya also called for accountability, saying Odee’s release should not end efforts to establish what happened.
“A journalist covering a public event should not be arrested or physically harmed for doing their job,” CJAK chairperson Joseph Muraya said.
Muraya called on the National Police Service and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to establish the grounds for the arrest, investigate the journalist’s treatment and identify officers involved in any wrongdoing.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of journalists covering demonstrations and the conduct of security officers when dealing with media practitioners documenting public events.
The protests were triggered by the latest fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Super petrol rose by Sh12.93 per litre, diesel by Sh9.90 and kerosene by Sh28.49, fuelling concerns over the rising cost of living.
Media organisations have maintained that efforts to maintain public order must not come at the expense of press freedom or the safety of journalists.
