• The incident arose after Cleophas Malala was blocked from accessing Kirobon Girls Secondary School, where Butere Girls High School students were rehearsing for the play "Echoes of War." Malala is the scriptwriter of the play.

The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) condemns the actions taken by law enforcement officers against members of the press during coverage of events at Kirobon Girls High School in Nakuru County on April 9, 2025.

The incident arose after Cleophas Malala was blocked from accessing Kirobon Girls Secondary School, where Butere Girls High School students were rehearsing for the play "Echoes of War." Malala is the scriptwriter of the play.

Reports indicate that six journalists sustained injuries while performing their professional duties.

“Notably, Nation Media Group’s Purity Kinuthia and Citizen TV reporter Mary Ann Nyambura were injured when police officers lobbed tear gas at them. Additionally, Citizen TV cameramen Evans Asiba and Robert Maina, along with KTN counterparts Peter Kimani and Kennedy Gachuhi, suffered physical assault at the hands of police,” the association stated.

The association asserts that such acts of aggression towards journalists are not only unconstitutional but also undermine the fundamental principles of press freedom and the public’s right to information.

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“The media plays an indispensable role in democracy by informing the citizenry and holding power to account. Any attempt to intimidate or harm journalists is an affront to these democratic values,” the association added.

CJAK calls upon the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into this incident.

“In line with the doctrine of command responsibility, rooted in international humanitarian law, Nakuru Police Commander Michael Mwaura MUST be held accountable for the anarchy, chaos, and violence inflicted on journalists on Wednesday night,” the association emphasized.

Furthermore, CJAK urges the National Police Service (NPS) to replace or repair the equipment that was damaged. CJAK is also willing to collaborate with the NPS to facilitate training sessions aimed at fostering a mutual understanding between law enforcement and the media.

“Such initiatives can promote respect and cooperation, ensuring that both parties can operate effectively without infringing on each other’s mandates.”