KUJ condemns attack on journalists during shisha raid at Kettle House bar

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has come out to condemn the Friday night violence meted on members of the press during a raid at Kettle House Bar and Grill in Lavington, Nairobi.

In a statement issued on Saturday, KUJ Secretary General Erick Oduor termed the incident where two journalists were stabbed and their equipment destroyed as ‘barbaric’ as he appealed for action against the perpetrators.

He went on to call on the police to ensure suspects face the law and urged the owner of the entertainment joint to take responsibility for the damages caused.

“During the crackdown against the consumption of banned substance, Shisha, security team at Kettle House unleashed terror on journalists, stabbing two of them and destroying their tools of trade. We condemn this unwarranted violence against journalists and demand that punitive action must be taken against these criminals in line with the law,” Mr. Oduor stated.

“These barbaric acts have no place in a civilized society like Kenya, and we count on law enforcers to hold the owner of the night club liable for the damages and injuries the journalists sustained during the ugly incident.”

The union boss underscored the role of the press in society and reiterated that media personnel ought to be protected in their line of duty.

He thus implored Kileleshwa Police Station OCS, where the 21 suspects who have already been arrested are detained, to ensure the victims of the attack get justice.

“Journalists have every right to serve the society where public interests matters are concerned and their calling for the greater good of Kenya cannot be obstructed by violence,” Oduor noted. 

“We call on police, especially the Officer Commanding Kileleshwa Police Station where some suspects in connection with the attacks are being held to ensure journalists get justice.”

The Friday night incident saw officials from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), law enforcement agents and journalists assaulted.

NACADA conducted the sting operation at the club to curb the smoking of shisha, which has been outlawed in Kenya since 2017 after the State banned the use, import, manufacture, distribution and promotion of the tobacco product.

During the altercation, a NACADA driver, Daniel Ousa, three police officers (PC Joel Nyaga, PC Bonface Mutisya and CPL Joseph Rutto) and four journalists Jane Kibira (KBC), Lawrence Tikolo (Citizen TV), Bonface Okendo (Standard) and Boniface Bogita (Nation) were reportedly roughed up.

Kibira was allegedly stabbed in the back, Tikolo sustained rib injuries and damage to his camera equipment and Bogita lost his phone during the melee.