Media Council, Editors Guild condemn arrest, assault of Journalist Francis Ode covering Nairobi protests

Media Council, Editors Guild condemn arrest, assault of Journalist Francis Ode covering Nairobi protests

Although Ode has since been released, the Guild argued that his detention was unjustified and demanded a formal investigation into the officers involved.

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) have condemned the arrest and assault of journalist Francis Ode while covering protests over fuel price hikes in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday, demanding accountability and stronger safeguards for journalists reporting on public demonstrations.

In a statement, MCK said plainclothes police officers seized Ode as he covered the protests along Kimathi Street, with video evidence showing officers dragging him near Kenyatta Avenue before forcing him into a police vehicle. According to MCK, although Ode identified himself as a journalist, he was taken to Central Police Station alongside two protesters. The journalist was not booked at the station and was later released following the intervention of Central OCPD Patrick Gogo.

“The OCPD Central has promised to investigate the circumstances surrounding the journalist’s arrest,” MCK said, adding that it would follow up with police for further details on the inquiry.

The council called for security discussions involving the National Police Service, media houses, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning of the need to protect journalists covering public demonstrations.

“Press freedom is a constitutionally protected right,” MCK said, calling for full accountability for those responsible for violations of media freedom and journalists’ safety.

The Kenya Editors Guild also condemned the incident, saying Ode was covering peaceful demonstrations when police officers manhandled him and took him away. Although Ode has since been released, the Guild argued that his detention was unjustified and demanded a formal investigation into the officers involved.

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“The Guild maintains that his arrest should never have occurred in the first place,” the organisation said.

The Guild called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the National Police Service to investigate the incident. It also demanded an apology from the Inspector General of Police and assurances that journalists would be protected while reporting on matters of public interest.

The two organisations’ condemnation comes amid concerns about journalists’ safety while covering protests, where media workers need to be able to report events without being subjected to violence or arbitrary detention.