Veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho was reportedly forcibly detained by police officers at Karen police station while driving with his son, who recorded the incident.
After the arrest, Gaitho was taken to an undisclosed location by the officers from Karen Police station.
Witnesses reported that officers at the station stood by and watched as unidentified individuals in plain clothes forcibly removed him.
Macharia Gaitho, previously a managing editor for special projects in Nairobi, now works independently as a journalist. He writes a weekly opinion column and provides political analysis for several newspapers across East Africa.
Recently, he has been outspoken about his concerns regarding the Kenyan government and the nation’s current situation, particularly during ongoing anti-government protests.
However, Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohamed stated that Gaitho’s arrest was due to mistaken identity. Gaitho has since been released.
These events occurred amidst a series of abductions linked to the anti-government demonstrations sparked by protests against the ‘punitive’ Finance Bill of 2024.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 59 individuals have been reported abducted or are missing. KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odede condemned these abductions and arrests, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all unlawfully detained persons in connection with the protests.
KNCHR further stated that the commission has petitioned the court for Habeas Corpus orders to ensure accountability for those missing or abducted.
The Way in Which Macharia Gaitho Has Battled Political Injustices
In the past, Gaitho expressed his straightforward nature, unafraid to offend anyone, which he attributed to his entry into the media industry.
“I studied Design at the University of Nairobi and initially worked at a graphic design firm in Nairobi after graduation. Later, I became an instructor at the Kenya Textile Training Institute under the Ministry of Labour before switching to journalism at the Weekly Review.”
“Entering the media in the 1980s was seen as imprudent. It offered limited opportunities, low pay, and was considered a risky career. Despite this, I persisted because of my passion for it,” he explained.
Additionally, he acknowledged that his role as a political analyst sometimes led to disagreements with politicians, noting the inherent risks and misconceptions about his personal political beliefs. However, he emphasized his commitment to remaining an impartial political journalist.
“My most challenging experiences include times when the government targeted the media, such as during the pro-democracy Saba Saba rallies,” he reflected.
He also cited significant events like the murder of Robert Ouko in 1990 and periods of intense media scrutiny, where journalists faced surveillance, phone tapping, and imprisonment under false accusations for discussing politics openly.