Rowdy youths roughed journalists who worked for media houses accused of favoring Jubilee.
Youthful supporters of the Opposition coalition, which has since morphed into the National Resistance Movement (NRM), targeted reporters working for NTV and Citizen which were accused of providing unfair political coverage.
Citizen TV reporter Francis Gichuri and an NTV employee identified as Jane Gatwiri were physically assaulted at the Wiper Headquarters in Nairobi’s Kileleshwa neighborhood.
Incidentally, the first video footage of the shameful incident was captured by K24 – station owned by Jubilee leader President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family.
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Perhaps aware of the risks posed, K24 reporters used a microphone that did not have their brand label which helped hide their identity.
In the video capturing the fracas, one of the goons is heard telling his colleagues to leave the K24 reporter alone, with the illusion that the journalist was actually working for KTN.
“Huyo ni wa KTN News. Station yetu hii (this one is from KTN News, our station),” a member of the rowdy group stated before pulling the reporter aside for a conversation in vernacular.
On social media, Kenyans were quick to react with a message of consolation to the affected journalists while others added a dose of humor.
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruyoit joked, “Pole sana Gachuri. Journalists need to be careful when covering Militia.”
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Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said, “On a light note did Gachuri try to buy tea at Wiper House?”
Here are some more reactions:
