Eight journalists from various media houses in Kitui County were blocked from accessing Mutonguni Boys' Secondary School in Kitui West as they went about their work in informing the public on matters public interest. The new principal was inside when the reporters were being harrased. The gate was closed and they could not access the school compound.
Two media colleagues were arrested and detained by police, MWINGI TIMES has learned in the extensive interview we had with the reporters. The arrested and detained journalists were Musembi Nzengu (Star newspaper) and Mercy Mueni (Mbaitu FM).
It took the intervention of Kitui county commander to have the arrested reporters freed. They were held in Ndolo's police station.
Ms Ida Ngile, an expectant journalist working with Mumo TV was told to move away or be beaten up by the rogue police who disregarded their own motto of Utumishi Kwa Wote/Service to All.
Some of injuries the journalists suffered were beating and being wounded in their hands and neck. Veteran reporter Musembi Nzengu said that one police officer wrestled him to the ground and he was also strangled.
"As I took my camera to take the photo, the police present pounced on me. They wrestled me to the ground. One tried to strangle me. Another slapped me. I was also arrested and put in a police Land Cruiser and taken to Kabati. I was detained for two hours.", said the journalist overwhelmed by emotions.
STORY By MUSYOKA NGUI
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
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