Kenyans react to reports of NMG journalists facing arrest
Three senior Nation Media Group journalists were reportedly being sought on Wednesday evening, amid reports the government had dispatched security operatives to arrest them.
It was, however, unclear on why Mr Linus Kaikai, NTV’s general manager and news anchors Larry Madowo and Ken Mijungu were being sought by the plainclothes police officers.
Plainclothes officers reportedly outside Nation Center, allegedly to arrest NTV’s Linus Kaikai, Larry Madowo and Ken Mijungu for unclear reasons pic.twitter.com/UcCnIqSUJG
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) January 31, 2018
Interestingly, this development happened hours after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Mataing’i issued a terse statement in relation to Tuesday’s swearing in of opposition leader Raila Odinga as the People’s President.
The tough speaking CS said the police would arrest some people, “including but not limited to media employees”, for their role in Tuesday’s ‘swearing-in’ of opposition leader Raila Odinga at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
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He also announced that three the mainstream TV station, NTV, KTN and Citizen TV, which switched off on Tuesday for live broadcast of events at Uhuru Park, will remain off air until investigations into subversion claims are concluded.
The journalists arrests have in the meantime attracted widespread reactions from Kenyans on social media.
Why are they so afraid it was a news worthy events and goverment has no right to dictate what is news worthy or not there is a regulatory body for that
— Michael Odoch (@michael_odoch) January 31, 2018
Threats, intimidation left, right centre.
Was this part of manifesto?
Fundamental freedoms are literally being thrown out through the window.
— Frank Orinde (@FrankOrinde) January 31, 2018
I salute @UKenyatta for his wisdom. let all blubber mouths pay what is due. the media in Kenya has transformed into a political outfit
— Romeo Whisky 5778 (@romanos_jerry) January 31, 2018
Kenya becoming terrible place to be a journalist
— SK (@sleekstan1) January 31, 2018
Terrible place to be everything. Even a citizen.
— Omar Waziri (@omar_waziri_) January 31, 2018
I don’t always tell anybody when am about to be arrested…Mjipange
— Geoffrey Serem (@kipjeffa) January 31, 2018
That’s intimidation. But articles and clauses will help.
— Marcel Otieno (@Marcelotien) January 31, 2018