Armed Suspects Attack & Rob Citizen TV Journalists As Kenya’s Defiant Opposition Continue With More Protests Today
Kenyan opposition has continued with protests scheduled for Monday despite police warning they will intensify crackdowns on what they consider as illegal protests.
Citizen TV journalists were on Monday, March 27, attacked by a knife-wielding gang in Kibra, Nairobi, as protestors engaged police officers in running battles during the Azimio la Umoja mass demonstrations.
Reports indicated that the journalists were caught in the middle of the clash between the police and the protestors.
The knife-welding gang chased away all the media teams posted in the area to cover the skirmishes.
The gang reportedly stole wallets, a camera and a phone belonging to one of the international journalists during the mayhem.
As a result, the fiery exchange led to the shattering of the vehicle’s windscreen.
In addition, NTV reporter Brian Obuya was forced to take cover as police engaged a section of Azimio supporters in Mathare, Nairobi.
Obuya, who took cover at makeshift shops, had to report live the proceedings as the protestors pelted police officers with stones.
While trying to evade the chaos, he was able to get behind the contingent of police officers and managed to run to safety- alongside the NTV crew.
The second week of the mass demonstrations kicked off at around 9:00 am after a section of protestors in Mathare, Kibra and Kisumu engaged police officers in running battles.
There were little to no activities within the CBD as business owners closed their shops in fear of the demonstrations.
In addition, roads leading to State House and the CBD were barricaded – forcing motorists plying the road to look for alternative routes.
The news came as Raila affirmed that the planned demonstrations would continue despite the tough warning from Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome who affirmed that the demos were illegal.
The protests started last week and turned violent in several opposition strongholds.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga said they would be held every Monday and Thursday to rally the country against the high cost of living and alleged electoral malpractices.
But the head of police, Japhet Koome, said on Sunday “he had not approved of any demonstrations” and warned of mass arrests.
The Kenyan law does not require police approval for protests.
“We have been restraining ourselves. We cannot do that anymore. We must come out as the police service to ensure law and order is maintained. That is a message for everybody,” Mr Koome told journalists.
Mr Odinga on Sunday insisted that the protests are protected by law.
“We have given the police a notice of protest as required by our laws. We don’t want to bring anarchy to our country, but we are fighting for our rights. The Kenyans people have a right to peacefully demonstrate,” he said.
