Police Use Live Ammunition Against Protestors; Journalist Injured in Nakuru
By Mellah Aluso
In a dramatic escalation of the nationwide protests against the Finance Bill 2024, police forces have engaged demonstrators with live ammunition, resulting in at least 53 deaths and numerous injuries. The clashes, which erupted on Tuesday, saw thousands of citizens taking to the streets across the country to demand better governance.
In Nakuru CBD, along Kenyatta Avenue, Kameme TV journalist Catherine Wanjeri Karioki was critically injured while covering the protests. Reports confirm that Karioki was shot three times in the thigh by police while performing her journalistic duties. This incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters.
The Chairperson of the Nakuru Journalist Association has decried the attack, asserting that it was a deliberate act against the press. “The police have no right to target an innocent journalist while she is carrying out her professional duties,” said the Rift Valley MCK Regional Coordinator. The Media Council has pledged to collaborate with legal authorities to investigate this assault on the journalist.
In addition to Karioki, CNN photojournalist Fabian Wahire has also been injured and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Media Max Network has called for a prompt and thorough investigation into the attacks on both journalists.
The Finance Bill 2024 protests, which began as a peaceful demonstration against the government’s fiscal policies, have now escalated into a full-blown confrontation between protestors and law enforcement. The violence has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and media advocacy groups, who demand accountability for the police’s use of force and the protection of journalists covering the unrest.
As the situation continues to develop, the nation watches closely to see how authorities will respond to the calls for justice and reform.
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