Journalism student arrested during Thursday demos in CBD

A journalism student was arrested by police as he covered demos in Nairobi CBD.

In a video seen by the Star, Lawrence Nyando stated he had been accredited by the Media Council of Kenya.

Nyando could be heard complaining saying he didn't know the reason for his arrest.

He claimed the police had taken his press card.

"I am a journalist accredited by MCK. They are taking my press card," Nyando said.

On the side, a police officer could be heard asking Nyando to do whatever he was being told to.

"You are taking my card. I am a journalist. How am I going to call my director? MCK has my details and as long as you have a press card, you are allowed to go to the streets and cover news," he said.

"I was with my colleague when police came and picked saying am not supposed to be there."

Nyando said he covered Tuesday demos at Parliament and was not arrested.

"I want my press card released or else I'll report to MCK," he said.

On Thursday, pockets of demonstrators were seen regrouping at Nairobi CBD even as police beefed up efforts to scatter them.

Planners of the Occupy Parliament protests announced last week that they would on Thursday march to State House.

Their plans were, however, thrown into disarray after President William Ruto on Wednesday declined to sign the contentious Finance Bill, 2024 and wrote to Parliament asking MPs to delete all clauses.

It was largely expected that with the new development, the protesters would hold their horses and call off the march.