Journalist Mike Okinyi, K’Ogalo fan Jaro Soja arrested in Tanzania
Two Kenyan journalists – including Citizen TV Sports Editor Mike Okinyi – and a renowned Gor Mahia fan were arrested and reportedly assaulted by Tanzania Police in Dar es Salaam on Friday evening.
The trio, who are in the country to cover and spectate at the ongoing Cecafa Club Championship, were eventually secured their freedom following the intervention of the Kenyan High Commission in Tanzania and tournament Secretary General Nicholas Musonye.
Another Gor Mahia official was also reportedly assaulted for “loudly cheering on Gor Mahia’ at the National Stadium’s main dais.
Trouble between the Kenyans and Tanzanian authorities started when Gor Mahia fan Jared Abong’o aka Jaro Soja was nabbed by stadium stewards and assaulted for “standing on the seats” during the Gor Mahia’s semi final match against Sudanese team Al Khartoum.
Citizen TV cameraman Jackton Njehia who was inside the facility opted to film the commotion, but he too was also arrested.
This prompted Okinyi who to inquire what was happening. But he too, was arrested and handcuffed. The three were taken to the nearby Chang’ombe Police station where it is not clear what kind of charges were levelled against them.
Late on Friday night Okinyi wrote on his Twitter handle: “We are iut baba (sic)……we have been charged with”shambulio”……back to the cop station kesho 10am”.
He later wrote: Pole guys, the whole of second half till now we were in jail……arrested for filming stewards harassing fans!!
The three were later bailed out but with a stern warning over their alleged conduct.