Two journalists allegedly assaulted during the national drama festival have recorded statements with the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) of the National Police Service.

This development comes at a time when five of the six assaulted journalists recently declined to record statements with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), accusing the authority of delaying justice, especially in light of the case involving a journalist who was shot during last year’s nationwide Finance Bill protests.

According to Isaac Omare, a Commissioner of Police serving under the IAU, promised that all other stalled cases of police brutality against journalists would be looked into.

Isaac Omare, commissioner of police in the Internal Audit Unit during an interview on April 16,2025.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

“We welcome individuals who think were harassed so that we can investigate and the necessary action can be carried out by the necessary authority. We always work together in various areas. The assurance is that we should work as a team, complementing and assisting each other so that we can achieve harmony and peaceful coexistence in any forum we meet.”

On his part, Nakuru Journalists Association chairman Joseph Openda says the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) managed to convince the assaulted journalists to record their statements, despite existing doubts about other oversight institutions.

Joseph Openda, Nakuru Journalists Association chairman during an interview on April 16,2025.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

“The IAU convinced us to have these statements recorded and committed to taking action against the rogue police officers involved. We believe that through their report, they will establish the truth and ensure that all previous cases of police harassment against journalists are concluded,” he says.

Openda adds that the association is deeply concerned about the rising trend of journalist harassment in Nakuru and calls on the Inspector General of Police to take stern action against officers involved, to ensure journalists can operate in a safe, interference-free environment.

“We were able to convince two of our members to give their accounts and we’re working to do the same with the remaining four so that investigations can proceed. We hope that this process is not just a formality, but that action will be taken and justice for our members will be served,” he says.

Journalists have reached out to the Media Council of Kenya, the Kenya Editors Guild, and other relevant bodies, but unfortunately, none of these institutions have followed through on the promises made regarding the assault of journalists.

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Leleti Jassor