• Kenyan journalists' cry for freedom of the press continues to fill the air. Various dramatizing incidents have befallen a number of them while they continue with their duty to inform and bring into the limelight the issues around the Gen Z protests.
  • These faithful messengers have, however, found themselves in the hands of the police, where they are mistreated, mishandled and brutally tortured. Some have suffered injuries from bullets directed at them while performing their faithful jurisdiction.
  • Raila Odinga, the Party Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has been stirred by these events to release a press statement touching on the freedom of expression, rights of peaceful assembly, and the protection of journalists. He has pointed out that these rights are enshrined in the Constitution and must be protected.


Kenyan journalists' cry for freedom of the press continues to fill the air. Various dramatizing incidents have befallen a number of them while they continue with their duty to inform and bring into the limelight the issues around the Gen Z protests.

These faithful messengers have, however, found themselves in the hands of the police, where they are mistreated, mishandled and brutally tortured. Some have suffered injuries from bullets directed at them while performing their faithful jurisdiction.

Macharia Gaitho, Catherine Wanjeri, and Collins Olunga are among the earlier victims of the Kenyan Police's clumsy behaviour. Recently, during the Nane Nane protests, other journalists have suffered the same brutality. Larry Madowo of the Cable News Network (CNN), representing the international press, found himself receiving this detrimental experience on August 8, 2024.

Raila Odinga, the Party Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has been stirred by these events to release a press statement touching on the freedom of expression, rights of peaceful assembly, and the protection of journalists. He has pointed out that these rights are enshrined in the Constitution and must be protected.

"I want to make it clear that I stand with the people in their quest for justice, freedom, and the full realization of their rights. I strongly condemn the actions taken by the police yesterday and call upon the relevant authorities to respect the constitutional rights of all Kenyans. I also urge the immediate release of those who were unjustly detained and a thorough investigation into the misconduct of the officers involved," he said.

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His sentiments on the issue align with those of the Kenyan Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which expressed their dissatisfaction with the brutal incidents earlier.

However, what remains a nightmare is whether the affected journalists will receive justice and those involved will be brought to book. Lastly, will the cry of the faithful messengers be heard? Will press freedom be served unto them as plainly outlined in the Constitution limitlessly regardless of the nature of the event they are covering?