The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has condemned Friday’s attack on journalists during a Shisha raid in Nairobi.
In a statement on Saturday, the authority said the journalist and police officers were legally mandated to do their jobs during the raid.
The board chairman, Stephen Mairori said those who attacked the officers who were doing their jobs will face criminal charges once arraigned in court.
“Nacada strongly condemns violence and destruction of property. Journalists and police officers while on duty are legally mandated to execute their assignment without threats, intimidation, violence or any form of coercion," he said.
"The authority takes great exception to the violent nature of the response to the crackdown on illegal shisha activities in the country and reminds the public that attacks on members of the press, security officers and other authorized personnel carrying out their duties are punishable by law.”
His remarks come after journalists from several media houses were Friday night injured in an assault during a raid on shisha by Nacada in Nairobi.
The drama happened at a city bar. The injured journalists were taken to hospitals for medical attention.
Some had their equipment damaged.
Three police officers and a driver with Nacada were also injured in the chaos. Police said 21 suspects were arrested at the joint.
Police who had accompanied them could not do much as the situation turned chaotic.
They however managed to arrest some of the attackers and revelers.
How it happened
Drama broke out when police officers, accompanied by journalists and Nacada officials, arrived at the bar at around 11 pm to arrest club managers and patrons for allegedly smoking shisha, which is banned.
And on seeing the journalists, the club's bouncers, dressed in black suits and red ties, charged at them, beating them and forcibly confiscating their recording equipment.
The journalists were injured and also lost their valuables and cash.
