Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has questioned how veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho was apprehended by the police officers.
In a statement shared on X, Sifuna said that the inhuman handling by the police was simply unbelievable even if it was the person they were arresting.
He further stated that he could have been booked at Karen police station since he had driven himself to the police station.
“Simply unbelievable. Even if that was the right Gaitho it still wouldn’t make the manner of his apprehension right! He was at a Police Station for heavens sake why not book him in there?” Sifuna said.
NPS on Gaitho’s arrest
Following the Wednesday, July 17, 2024, dramatic arrest of Gaitho, the National Police Service made a public clarification on the matter.
In a statement shared on X, the police said the arrest was a case of mistaken identity adding that he was mistaken for a blogger named 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.
The police further stated that they do not target members of the Fourth Estate and that they are committed to working with the media adding that the incident is highly regrettable.
“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,” NPS added.
Gaitho’s arrest
The veteran journalist was apprehended on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, morning by armed policemen inside the Karen police station in Nairobi County.
In a viral video, Gaitho is seen being bundled into a white Probox vehicle inside the police station by individuals in civilian clothes as a couple of police officers in uniform stand by and watch.
The veteran journalist had driven to the station after noticing that an unknown vehicle was trailing him.
Gaitho was in the company of his son during the incident.
However, Gaitho was later released after the police said that the arrest was a case of mistaken identity and they were looking for Francis Gaitho.
Speaking to the media after his release, Gaitho said that he was blocked by a civilian car shortly after he left his home and two other men opened the door and tried to move him out of the car.
“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.
He further explained that they decided to drive to the Karen police station because they recognised that it could be a case of abduction or carjacking.