The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) has issued a sharp rebuke against the National Police Service following the violent arrest and detention of journalist Francis Ode in Nairobi’s Central Business District.

The incident occurred during public coverage of ongoing demonstrations in the capital. According to reports, Ode was confronted by plainclothes police officers, physically assaulted, and stripped of his reporting equipment before being taken into custody at the Central Police Station. He was subsequently released without formal charges.

“This is not an isolated incident; it represents a dangerous and escalating pattern of police hostility toward media workers in Kenya,” said BAKE Chairperson Kennedy Kachwanya in a statement released on Thursday. “A free press is a cornerstone of our democracy, and targeting journalists who document public interest events is a direct assault on the constitutional rights of all citizens.”

Media rights groups and press observers have expressed growing concern over police conduct toward reporters during civic gatherings. BAKE noted that the targeting of press members suppresses public oversight and undermines transparent reporting on law enforcement operations.

BAKE highlighted key constitutional protections breached during the arrest:

  • Freedom of Expression and Media: The actions run counter to Articles 33, 34, and 35 of the Constitution of Kenya, which mandate press freedom, media independence, and the public’s right to information.
  • Police Accountability: The physical force used by the arresting officers violates Article 244, which requires the National Police Service to uphold professionalism, dignity, and human rights in its operations.

In its statement, BAKE urged immediate state action to hold the responsible officers accountable and prevent further intimidation of press personnel.

The organization called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to fast-track an investigation into the officers involved and refer the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Furthermore, BAKE demanded that the Inspector General of Police issue clear operational orders protecting journalists during public events, alongside an official apology and restitution to Ode for any damaged equipment.