Citizen TV journalist assaulted for visiting private school

A Nakuru based journalist is nursing serious injuries after being roughed up by four police officers attached to a private school.

The Citizen TV cameraman, Evans Asiba also had his camera confiscated by police who detained him at Bondeni Police Station for two hours where he was forced to record statement.

According to the cameraman, he was conducting a spot check in connection to the teacher’s strike that has led to government’s decision to shut down private and public schools.

“At the entrance, the security guard on duty barred me from accessing the institution claiming he was acting on instruction from the school head teacher and I only filmed the school signboard.” he said.

This did not auger well with the school head teacher who instructed the police attached to Menengai police post next to the school to confiscate the camera.

At the station, police officers drafted a charge sheet that he assaulted police, resisted arrest and allegedly caused disturbance in the school.

However, speaking on phone, Gideon Amala, Rift Valley Regional Coordinator, said he was aware about the arrest but refused to comment on the matter.

Asiba was later released in Monday on bond but after his finger prints had been taken.

His colleagues, who went to check on him at the station, condemned the incident terming it as barbaric and one meant to intimidate journalists.

Report by Karanja Kimani