Kimani Mbugua, the Citizen TV journalists who received a serious beating from the City County Askaris was finally discharged from Hospital on Tuesday evening after receiving treatment all day.
The journalists was however to walk home alive after what appeared to have been a thorough attack by the gang like squad that was determined to silence him forever.
Just been discharged from Nairobi Hospital after an assault this morning by rogue kanju officers. Thank God I only had minor head injuries, I can only imagine what happens to other people. Asanteni sana for the goodwill messages. Never let go of the power of the pen and camera ✊🏾
— Kimani Mbugua (@IamKimaniMbugua) November 6, 2018
According to the journalist, the officers accosted him while he was recording an incident where the officers were demanding a bribe from a boda boda operator who had flouted the motorbikes ban in Nairobi’s CBD.
“It’s unfortunate what happened and what has been happening, I was recording the incident using my phone as I awaited the cameraman. An officer roughed me up and and took me to Fire Station offices where I received several slaps and had my head banged against the wall,” he said.
“The officers realized they could get into trouble and released me but after forcing me to delete all the pictures and video I had recorded,” Mr. Kimani recalled.
The journalist however noted that those who arrested him had no uniform but provided identification showing they were Nairobi County government officials.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Kenyan journalists have been attacked in the line of duty. Early last month, a Standard Media Reporter was attacked and beaten mercilessly by police in Homa Bay County assembly.
In March this year, police attacked and injured journalists at JKIA. The journalists had gone to cover the return of controversial Kenyan-Canadian lawyer Miguna Miguna.
The officers, who were openly unhappy with the media presence as they manhandled and harassed Dr Miguna, turned their anger on members of the Fourth Estate, hurting some.
Nation TV cameraman Robert Gichira was left bleeding and his camera and live broadcast equipment damaged by officers. A General Service Unit officer clubbed him several times as he ran away with his camera.