Officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) reportedly assaulted a correspondent from the Standard Media Group on Thursday, 1,2024.
The journalist, who had received a tip off about the arrest of a traffic officer collecting bribes, on the Kitale-Kapenguria road, found himself at the center of the operation.
Eyewitnesses reported that the EACC officers blocked the journalist from recording the arrest and manhandling him.
The situation escalated as the officers, seemingly agitated by the journalist’s determination, threatened him.
According to the journalist, the officer slapped him even after identifying himself.
Journalist Grilled
The officer questioned the journalist’s authority to film the operation, “Introduce yourself first; you cannot record us. I don’t know you.”
Despite pleas from the journalist and attempts to reason with the officers, the standoff escalated.
The officers are heard warning him against the documentation of operation and promptly called for backup from their colleagues.
Also Read: EACC Arrests Nine Govt Officials
The scuffle attracted members of the public who milled around the scene to establish what was happening.
“When they discovered the hostility of the boda boda riders, the officials decided to leave. They also wanted to take away my phone, leading to its cracked screen after falling down,” stated the journalist, highlighting the physical consequences of the assault.
EACC sets record straight
However, EACC denied reports that its officers had assaulted a journalist during an operation in Uasin Gishu.
According to the authority, the incident involved an identified individual who, while visibly intoxicated, intruded upon the operation zone where EACC detectives were conducting an arrest of a police officer.
Also Read: MCK Condemns Fights and Bad Blood Among Journalists
“This person started capturing photos and videos of the arrest, including EACC officers and vehicles registration details, without proper authorization. Such conduct is not permissible due to the attendant security’s risks,” EACC clarified.
According to the EACC, the detectives inquired about the individual ‘s identity, to which he claimed to be a journalist but refused to provide further details.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no EACC officer assaulted anyone, and such does not happen at EACC,” the agency emphasized.
Police Officer Arrested for Bribery
Meanwhile, the EACC sleuths, operating from the North Rift regional office, apprehended the cop who was collecting bribes from motorsits.
“The officer has been notorious and has been observed and captured on camera severally, openly collecting money from motorists, leading to many complaints from the area residents,” stated an EACC spokesperson.
He was later transported to the EACC regional headquarters in Eldoret to record a statement and for processing.
