Police on the spot, again, for targeting journalists during 'Nane Nane' protests

Police are on the spot yet again for targeting and attacking journalists who were covering the Nane Nane protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Thursday.

Police were filmed attacking journalists, firing teargas canisters directly at media crews and injuring some of the journalists.

At close range, the officers resorted to kicks and blows against the media representatives.

As soon as media crews took positions in the CBD at 9am, trigger-happy and menacing police officers decided to descend on the messenger.

One female journalist faced the wrath of the officers; she was hit by the infamous long wooden sticks.

It became apparent for journalists that police, who were seen discussing in low tones, were keen to keep them at bay.

As the day progressed, police aimed teargas canisters at spaces occupied by members of the fourth estate and from time-to-time disrupted live links by exploding canisters under journalists’ feet.

A few minutes after 3pm, police stationed at the Kimathi Street junction were literally baying for the blood of the media people.

It was at this point that hell broke loose; angry journalists questioned the anti-riot police on why they were turning their guns on journalists.

From verbal exchanges to an exchange of blows and kicks, for about 30 minutes, undeterred journalists engaged anti-riot police, attempting to unmask their faces.

It was during this confrontation that Citizen TV reporter Stephen Letoo found himself choked by the smoke and unconscious, but a colleague lent him a helping hand.

A foreign journalist was hit on his right foot and sustained injuries. As if that was not enough, the police directed teargas canisters directly at CNN journalist Larry Madowo and his team.

When asked about the repeated harassment of the media, Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli could not give a satisfactory answer, instead directing the police to collaborate with journalists covering protests.