Kirori then sought their views on the withdrawn Finance Bill and the dissolved Cabinet before she was captured holding her earpiece.
Protesters along Outering Road in Nairobi were left infuriated after an interview they had with Nation Media Group’s (NMG) NTV reporter Ngina Kirori was cut short abruptly.
The journalist was on Tuesday, July 23 captured talking to a section of protesters amidst their peers engaging police in running battles in the morning hours amidst plans to storm the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
One protester, while given a chance to speak, expressed his disappointment at President William Ruto recalling Kithure Kindiki to the Ministry of Interior as a Cabinet Secretary (CS), though it is a nomination which will be subjected to vetting by the National Assembly, alongside 10 other nominees.
The individual concluded by adding to the persistent calls for President Ruto to step down. Kirori then sought their views on the withdrawn Finance Bill and the dissolved Cabinet before she was captured holding her earpiece.
Here is the video:
.@ntvkenya journalist at Imara Daima asked to stop interviewing demonstrators by the Editor. The move angered the youths manze. #OccupyAirport #OccupyJKIA pic.twitter.com/xyhtNIE5PY
— Makhanu Wekesa Oliver (@MakhanuWOliver) July 23, 2024
Suddenly, she thanked the protesters for allowing her to interview them before she turned away from them to continue reporting, a matter which upset them while she kept clutching onto her earpiece.
The clip had found its way on X, with a majority of users not only criticising the TV station but also the editors/directors whom they accused of advising her to cease interviewing the demonstrators any further.
Attempts to reach out to Kirori for clarification by Viral Tea proved futile. NTV was also yet to comment on the matter.
Protesters were late on Tuesday still engaging police in running battles in areas on the outskirts of Nairobi as they retreated to their homes after day-long demonstrations in the CBD and along the major road.
Footage shared online from high-rise residential apartments showed crowds taking to their heels with anti-riot police hot on their trail.Â
In Pipeline, Embakasi, a video seen by Viral Tea captured a police water cannon meandering within the estate whilst spraying coloured water into residential apartments as protesters and residents took cover.
Meanwhile, the interruption of the interview risks opening a fresh can of worms in the media space, given that this comes a day before journalists take to the streets in nationwide protests.
The journalists have lined up their list of demands to the government, including the end to media censorship and payment of money owed to media houses.
