Hundreds of journalists in Mombasa protested on Wednesday against police brutality against their profession.
The protest started at Pembe za Ndovu in the morning with journalists chanting and singing the national anthem.
They protested along Moi Avenue, walking towards the Mombasa County Commissioner’s office to present their petition.
Led by Coast Media Welfare Chairman Francis Mtalaki, they demanded the arrest of police officers who shot and injured a Nakuru-based journalist.
“We have noticed a trend where some government operatives profile journalists as they cover the anti-government protests by gen-z. Those policemen must be arrested,” said Mtalaki.
The scribes drawn from different media houses in Mombasa further accused the government of trying to silence them saying they will not budge.
“Journalism is not a crime. We are merely messengers. Why should we be targeted and even attacked by police during our normal duties? Police must be called to order,” said Ali Mwalimu from Radio Rahma.
Human Rights activists led by Haki Africa’s Rapid Response Officer Mathias Shipeta and his counterpart from Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) Francis Auma joined the protest in solidarity with journalists.
“As human rights defenders, we stand in solidarity with journalists. We have had incidences where some have been shot and injured during protests, and others abducted by police,” said Shipeta.