The Eastleigh Voice reporter assaulted by police while covering Majengo protest

A reporter from The Eastleigh Voice was among those physically assaulted by police officers on Wednesday while covering the protest in Majengo, Pumwani following the shooting of two youths by a police officer on Tuesday night.

One of the victims, a 17-year-old boy later succumbed to gunshot wounds while receiving treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

The reporter arrived at the scene around 8.30 am on Wednesday to cover the protest when around eight Red Beret GSU officers approached him and beat him with a club while others punched him.

The officers restrained him for hours before eventually letting him go.

“They confiscated my phone and camera, and different officers began beating me when they realised I was from the media,” the reporter said.

After being detained for several hours, the officers returned his camera and phone, but the footage he had taken of the protests had been deleted. The reporter sustained injuries including a swollen arm.

Many residents of Eastleigh and Majengo were also injured, some from live bullets, as running battles between the police and protesters continued for the better part of Wednesday morning. According to Said Athman Kamukunji, Human rights defenders, as of Wednesday, two youths had lost their lives while six others were left critically injured from police brutality.

Injured protesters were treated at Care Hospital in Eastleigh, while those with more severe injuries were taken to Mama Lucy Hospital.

Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan condemned the killing, demanding action against the officer responsible for the shooting.

"The senseless killing of Ibrahim Ramadhan Chege, a 17-year-old youth from Kamukunji, is a tragedy that deeply saddens and angers me. I strongly condemn the murder of Ibrahim, who was shot in the head by a police officer in Majengo yesterday evening and died shortly after being taken to the hospital. His life, full of potential, was cruelly cut short," he said.

"This is not an isolated incident. Ibrahim's death highlights the urgent need for accountability and justice within the national police service. I demand a swift and thorough investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) into this horrific act. The officer responsible must be apprehended and held accountable for his actions. My heart goes out to Ibrahim's mother, Hadija, and the rest of his family. They are in my thoughts during this difficult time. We will ensure that Ibrahim's death is not in vain and that justice is served."

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