Veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho has disputed the police narrative that he was abducted in a case of mistaken identity.
Speaking to the media moments after his release, Gaitho said there was no way he could be mistaken for Francis Gaitho, since they bore a lot of differences.
“I don’t believe I was mistaken for Francis Gaitho, as I am twice his age. Also, he doesn’t live where I live and doesn’t drive a car like mine. It is me they were trailing and looking for,” he said.
The journalist has also narrated the events leading to his abduction inside the Karen police station.
He revealed that he was arrested after seeking refuge inside the station after being trailed by unknown people.
“This morning, shortly after I left home around 8:05 am, I was blocked by a civilian car. As I was waiting for it to move out, some two other men came on my left side where I was sitting (since) my son was driving, opened the door and tried to move me out. They did not identify themselves so I refused to get off the car and instructed my son to drive away,” the journalist explained.
“We drove away and they followed us. I was left with one handcuff on my wrist.”
Gaitho, who was taken away in a civilian car, says he was assaulted after his abduction, with accusations of resisting arrest.
“We decided to come to Karen police station because we recognised that this is an abduction or carjacking or other related criminal activity. We came to Karen Police Station to look for help. We drove into the station then those two cars followed us right inside, and forced me into their car, a white (Toyota) Probox. I was sandwiched between two men in civilian clothes, handcuffed and assaulted. They were demanding to know why I was resisting arrest,” he added.
Police on Gaitho abduction
In a statement earlier, the National Police Service (NPS) claimed that Gaitho had been arrested following a case of mistaken identity, meant for the arrest of Francis Gaitho.
“The National Police Service would like to clarify to the public that this morning, we arrested journalist Macharia Gaitho in a case of mistaken identity, meant for the arrest of Francis Gaitho who is our subject of investigation,” NPS stated.
“We reiterate that as a Service, we do not target journalists in any way, and today’s incident is highly regrettable. The National Police Service remains committed to working with the media while discharging our mandate of promoting accountability and transparency.”
Police did not however reveal why Francis Gaitho is being sought.
Gaitho says his 19-year-old son, who was driving at the moment of his abduction, is safe.
“My 19-year-old son, Andrew, is okay. He was very brave. He was the one driving and managed to get to the station, record, and share a video of what was happening. It must be traumatizing to see his father abducted in a brutal and violent way,” he said.