Kenyan police have released veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho after what they described as a case of mistaken identity led to his arrest. Gaitho was initially detained when officers mistook him for Francis Gaitho, a person of interest in an investigation into discrediting police efforts regarding a suspected serial killer.
The incident began when Macharia Gaitho was trailed near his home in Nairobi by unidentified individuals in two cars. Concerned for his safety, he drove to a nearby police station accompanied by his son. However, upon arrival, he was forcefully pushed into a private vehicle and driven away by uniformed officers and civilians.
In a statement later, the police clarified that they had arrested Macharia Gaitho under the mistaken belief that he was Francis Gaitho, the subject of their investigation. They asserted that the arrest was not targeted at journalists and apologised for the confusion.
A widely circulated video on social media showed Gaitho being manhandled and handcuffed by the officers. He later recounted being assaulted and pressured to comply during the ordeal.
Macharia Gaitho, a prominent columnist for Kenya’s Daily Nation, has vowed to take legal action against the police over the incident, emphasising that he was targeted due to his journalistic work.
Meanwhile, Francis Gaitho, a social media influencer, denied the allegations against him and stated he would cooperate with the authorities. The police had accused him of posting details implicating another individual in the gruesome murders recently uncovered in Nairobi.
The case involving the alleged serial killer, Collins Jumaisi Khalusha, has stirred controversy after his lawyer claimed he was tortured into confessing to the murders of 42 women. The police named Khalusha as the suspect behind the killings but are facing scrutiny over the handling of the investigation.
The incident has sparked outrage online, with many criticizing the police for their handling of the situation and raising concerns about press freedom in Kenya.
