The Defenders Coalition has condemned the alleged harassment, physical assault and arbitrary arrest of Citizen TV journalist Ode Francis while covering fuel price protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 22, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in Kenya said journalists should be allowed to document demonstrations without being treated as participants or subjected to intimidation because of their work.
“The act of documenting a demonstration does not make a journalist a participant in the protest, nor does it justify harassment, assault, intimidation or arbitrary arrest,” the organisation said.
The coalition cited Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and media freedom, as well as Article 29, which safeguards the right to freedom and security of the person.
It warned that harassment of journalists undermines democracy and the public’s access to information, particularly as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election.
The organisation called on the National Police Service and the Inspector-General of Police to publicly condemn the harassment of journalists and issue clear directives against their assault and intimidation while on assignment.
It also urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the circumstances surrounding Francis’s arrest and called on the government to take measures to protect journalists and human rights defenders.
Francis was arrested on October 20 while covering demonstrations against rising fuel prices along Kimathi Street in Nairobi’s CBD. He was later released without charge.
IPOA has since launched an investigation into the arrest and brief detention, saying it will review police records and obtain accounts from officers involved in managing public order during the protests.
The Defenders Coalition expressed solidarity with Francis, Citizen TV and other media practitioners facing hostility while reporting on matters of public interest.
