This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
On July 21, 2019, Nakuru People Daily Bureau Chief Noah Kipkogei was assaulted by county askaris at the Nakuru county headquarters.
According to Kipkogei, he had gone to see the County Attorney Caleb Nyamwange over a story when the askaris attacked him after refusing him entry into their offices.
"I was told to wait for him outside but I told them that was a public office hence they shouldn’t make it look like a military camp they did not take kindly my protest and they descended on me like a thief," Kipkogei said.
He further stated that he was frog marched by the askaris out of the premises after he insisted on seeing the county attorney.
County Director of Communication Beatrice Obwocha apologized for the incident, stating, "I regret the incident and apologise to you," in a response to journalists on a WhatsApp group.
The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Nakuru Branch chairperson Mercy Kahenda has demanded action against the rogue askaris and an explanation from Governor Lee Kinyanjui on why his enforcement officers are always manhandling journalists.
