Nairobi: Daylight Drama as Prominent Figure Is Bundled Into a Car While Bystanders Watch Helplessly

Tension erupted along Kimathi Street in Nairobi after Citizen TV journalist Odee Francis was reportedly seized by plainclothes police officers and forced into a waiting police vehicle while covering demonstrations over rising fuel prices.

The incident attracted the attention of pedestrians and fellow journalists, some of whom appeared to question the officers as they took the reporter away.Odee was covering protests organised by activists who had taken to the streets to express their frustration over the rising cost of living.

Videos shared on social media showed officers pulling the journalist along the street before bundling him into the vehicle as onlookers watched.

According to reports, Odee informed the officers that he was a journalist performing his professional duties.

However, the officers went ahead with the arrest despite appeals from people who witnessed the incident.

The reporter was subsequently taken to Central Police Station, where he was held briefly alongside other individuals arrested during the demonstrations.

The incident came amid growing public frustration following a fresh increase in fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).Under the revised prices, a litre of super petrol in Nairobi rose by KSh12.93 to KSh226.96, while diesel increased by KSh9.90 to KSh227.76.

Kerosene experienced the sharpest rise, climbing by KSh28.49 to KSh219.87 per litre.

The new rates took effect on October 15, placing additional financial pressure on motorists, public transport operators and households already grappling with expensive basic commodities.

Rising fuel costs have continued to worry many Kenyans because they can trigger higher transport fares and increase the prices of food and other essential goods.

The demonstrations highlighted growing dissatisfaction among citizens, with protesters urging the authorities to introduce measures that would ease the burden on ordinary families.

Odee’s arrest has also sparked concerns about the protection of journalists covering public demonstrations. The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Although the journalist has since been released, questions remain about the events that led to his arrest and whether further action will follow.

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