Nairobi: Terrifying Ordeal as Citizen TV Reporter Is Locked in Cell Where Albert Ojwang Died

Citizen TV crime reporter Francis Ode has recounted his frightening experience after being arrested while covering demonstrations against rising fuel prices in Nairobi’s Central Business District, revealing that he was detained in the same cell where blogger Albert Ojwang died in police custody in June 2025.

Ode was arrested on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, while covering protests in the city centre. He was later released after spending a short period at Central Police Station.

Speaking after his release, the journalist said being held in the cell brought back memories of Ojwang’s death and left him fearing for his own safety.

Ode explained that he had been assigned to cover demonstrations by residents protesting the rising cost of fuel when he noticed some protesters suddenly fleeing the scene.

According to the reporter, a uniformed police officer then instructed officers dressed in plain clothes to arrest him.

Ode said he questioned the decision, explaining that he was a journalist carrying out his professional duties. However, he alleged that the officers did not identify themselves before approaching him and began handling him roughly.

He recounted that the situation quickly became frightening, forcing him to raise his voice because he was concerned about his safety. He was subsequently taken to Central Police Station, where he was detained before being released.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of journalists covering demonstrations and other public events, particularly when tensions arise between protesters and police.

Ojwang died in police custody in June 2025 after being arrested in Homa Bay and transferred to Nairobi. Police initially claimed he had struck his head against a cell wall, but a postmortem examination reportedly found injuries consistent with an assault. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority confirmed that he died inside the cells at Central Police Station.

His death sparked widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny of the treatment of suspects in police custody.

Following Ode’s arrest, the Crime Journalists Association of Kenya condemned the incident and called for an independent investigation into allegations that the reporter had been assaulted.

The association stressed that journalists must be able to cover public events without intimidation, violence or unjustified arrest.

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