This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
On Tuesday, two Nakuru-based journalists were reportedly arrested and their equipment confiscated by police during an assignment to investigate illegal immigrants allegedly operating a quarry in Nakuru West.
According to Citizen Digital, the journalists were in the company of four officials from various government departments when they were arrested by officers from Kaptembwa Police Station.
Nakuru West OCPD Patrick Olonyi stated that the journalists had allegedly trespassed on property owned by immigrants of Asian origin, who had alerted the police.
However, the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Nakuru charter, led by Secretary General Kioko wa Kivandi, opposed this claim, demanding that the journalists be treated as suspects until proven otherwise.
The journalists were detained at the Kaptembwa Police Station overnight and are expected to be arraigned in court.
Mr. Olonyi also suggested that journalists should report to the police before conducting investigative stories, a claim that was met with opposition from the KUJ boss.
