Nakuru journalists protest over shooting of colleague

Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki was shot three times as she covered the anti-government protests.

In Summary
  • They gathered at the railway ground before starting their walk through Kenyatta Avenue which is the main street in the busy city.
  • They stopped briefly at the CK Patel building outside Faulu Bank, the spot where Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki was shot three times as she covered the anti-government protests on Tuesday.

Journalists in Nakuru county staged a protest on Wednesday condemning the shooting of their colleague, Catherine Kariuki, during anti-government demonstrations in Nakuru town. https://shorturl.at/x7bct

Nakuru journalists protest against the shooting of Journalist Catherine Kariuki during anti-government demos in Nakuru town on July 17, 2024
Nakuru journalists protest against the shooting of Journalist Catherine Kariuki during anti-government demos in Nakuru town on July 17, 2024
Image: LOISE MACHARIA

Journalist in Nakuru on Wednesday held a peaceful protest of the shooting against their colleague.

They gathered at the railway ground before starting their walk through Kenyatta Avenue which is the main street in the busy city.

They stopped briefly at the CK Patel building outside Faulu bank, the spot where Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki was shot three times as she covered the anti-government protests on Tuesday.

They then proceeded through to government road, joined Oginga Odinga road to Nakuru central police station where they sought audience with the county police commander, Samuel Ndanyi.

Wanjeri, a Radio/TV reporter with Media Max was shot three times in the thigh in a blatant attack on the press.

She was identifiable as she wore a press jacket, had a media tag and a branded microphone.

She was taken to Valley Hospital for first aid and thereafter referred to Rift Valley Provincial Hospital annexe for surgery.

All the three rubber bullets that were lodged in her thigh were removed and medics say she is responding well to treatment.

On Wednesday, journalists wanted answers as to why the police aimed their guns at identifiable journalists.

They were still outside the police by the time of going to press.

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has also condemned the shooting.

MCK CEO David Omwoyo termed the incident as shameful and terrifying.

"The shooting of Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki, a journalist attached to Kameme TV, while in the company of other journalists and the police is shameful and terrifying," he said.

The Kenya Editors' Guild also condemned the continued, targeting, and brazen attacks on journalists covering protests.

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