By Samuel Ouma
The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has condemned the attack meted on journalists during a raid at Kettle House Bar and Grill in Nairobi.
The Friday night incident saw journalists Jane Kibira (KBC), Lawrence Tikolo (Citizen TV), Boniface Okendo (Standard) and Boniface Bogita (Nation) assaulted by the law officers.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) carried out the raid at the club to prevent shisha smoking, which has been illegal in Kenya since 2017.
According to reports, Kibira was stabbed in the back, Tikolo sustained rib injuries and camera equipment damage, and Bogita lost his phone during the melee.
In a statement, KUJ Secretary General Erick Oduor termed the act as barbaric and called for the persecution of the perpetrators.
He went ahead and asked the joint owner to take responsibility for the property destroyed and injuries sustained by the press members.
“We have noted with great concerns the attacks that were meted on journalists by security team attached to an entertainment joint in Nairobi during a crackdown launched by NACADA against banned substances,” said Oduor.
“During the crackdown against the consumption of the banned substance, Shisha, security team at Kettle House unleashed terror on journalists, stabbing two of them and destroying their tools of the trade. We condemn this unwarranted violence against journalists and demand that punitive action must be taken against these criminals in line with the law.”
Oduor emphasized journalists’ significant role in society, adding that any violence against any press member will not be tolerated.
The union boss further called the Kileleshwa Police Station OCS, where the suspects are being detained to ensure the four get justice.
