The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is investigating at least seven police officers following the alleged assault and arrest of Citizen TV crime journalist Odee Francis while covering protests over rising fuel prices in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday, October 20.
The officers are expected to explain the circumstances surrounding Odee’s arrest, despite his alleged repeated attempts to identify himself as a journalist covering the demonstrations.
Among those expected to face questioning are Central Police Station Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Patrick Gogo and Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Joab Onyapidi. Five other officers accused of participating in the journalist’s arrest are also expected to be questioned.
The investigation follows growing concerns over the treatment of journalists covering public demonstrations and the protection of press freedom in Kenya.
IPOA Seeks Answers Over Journalist’s Arrest
According to reports, IPOA wants the officers to explain why Odee was arrested even after identifying himself as a registered journalist and displaying his official press identification badge.
The journalist was temporarily detained at Nairobi Central Police Station alongside protesters after police officers reportedly mistook him for one of the demonstrators.
Odee was covering demonstrations organised by a section of human rights activists protesting against rising fuel prices in the CBD. The protests took place as Kenyans marked the country’s 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations.
The demonstrations followed an increase in fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which sparked public concern over the rising cost of living.
How Citizen TV Journalist Odee Francis Was Arrested
In his account of the incident, Odee explained that he was filming the demonstrations from the section designated for journalists when protesters began fleeing.
He alleged that a uniformed police officer pointed at him and instructed other officers to arrest him as well.
Despite questioning the reason for his arrest and repeatedly identifying himself as a journalist, Odee claimed that the officers ignored his explanation.
He was subsequently bundled into a police Land Cruiser and taken to the Central Police Station alongside other activists.
The journalist further alleged that plainclothes officers dragged and assaulted him, tore his clothes and forcibly placed him in a police vehicle.
His account has raised questions about whether officers involved in the operation followed the appropriate procedures when dealing with members of the press covering a public demonstration.
Journalist Released After Senior Police Officer Intervenes
Odee was briefly held at Nairobi Central Police Station before his release following the intervention of the OCPD.
Reports indicated that the senior police officer acknowledged that the journalist had been caught up in the violence surrounding the demonstrations.
His release, however, did not end concerns over the circumstances of his arrest or the allegations of physical assault.
The ongoing IPOA investigation is expected to establish the events leading to the arrest and determine whether any officers acted unlawfully or violated the journalist’s rights.
The authority’s findings could help clarify individual responsibility and inform any further action considered necessary after the investigation.
Crime Journalists Association of Kenya Condemns Incident
The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) condemned the alleged arrest and assault, calling for investigations by the police oversight authority and other relevant agencies.
The association urged the authorities to establish the facts and ensure that officers found responsible for wrongdoing are held accountable.
The incident has renewed calls for police officers to respect the role of journalists during demonstrations, particularly when reporters are clearly identified and are documenting events in the public interest.
Journalists play a critical role in providing information to the public, documenting the conduct of security agencies and ensuring that significant public events receive independent coverage.
Any alleged mistreatment of journalists while performing these duties raises concerns about the safety of media workers and the public’s ability to access reliable information.
Press Freedom Concerns Persist in Kenya
The alleged incident comes amid continuing concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists covering protests, political events and other public gatherings in Kenya.
According to figures cited by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), the country recorded 92 press freedom violations in 2025, compared with 130 in 2024. Physical assaults accounted for 67 per cent of the reported cases.
Although the reported overall number of violations declined, physical attacks remain a significant concern for journalists working in potentially volatile environments.
Media freedom advocates have repeatedly emphasised the importance of allowing journalists to cover demonstrations without intimidation, unlawful detention or violence.
Police officers also have a responsibility to maintain public order while respecting constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.
The incident involving Odee has therefore renewed calls for stronger accountability mechanisms and clearer protections for media workers operating in crowded or confrontational situations.
What Happens Next in the IPOA Investigation?
IPOA’s investigation is expected to focus on the circumstances of Odee’s arrest, the conduct of the officers involved and the allegations of assault.
Questioning the seven officers could help investigators establish who issued the arrest order, what information was available to the officers at the time and whether appropriate procedures were followed.
The investigation may also examine witness accounts and other available evidence to establish what happened before, during and after the journalist was taken to the police station.
However, the officers’ involvement in the investigation does not, by itself, establish guilt. Any conclusions about misconduct or criminal responsibility should be based on the evidence gathered and the applicable legal process.
The outcome will be important in determining whether disciplinary or other legal action is warranted.
Conclusion
The investigation into the alleged assault and arrest of Citizen TV journalist Odee Francis has placed renewed attention on police accountability and press freedom in Kenya.
As IPOA seeks explanations from seven police officers, journalists and media organisations will be watching closely for answers about the circumstances of the incident.
The case also highlights the importance of protecting reporters covering demonstrations and ensuring that allegations of police misconduct are investigated fairly, independently and transparently.
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Category: Kenya News | Media and Press Freedom