Presidential guards impersonated journalists covering Monday’s launch of the “Nairobi Metro 2030 Strategy” at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) to prevent any protests over the Bill. Wearing badges meant for writers, the security men were conspicuous in their black and navy blue suits as they put journalists under close surveillance throughout the function. Earlier, riot police lobbed tear gas canisters as the protesters marched towards Parliament Building in the afternoon. Journalists from some media houses took part in the demonstrations, but police also arrested others who had gone to cover the protest march. Prior to the break-up, the protesters had filed past the KICC grounds, where President Kibaki was officiating, prompting presidential guards to cordon off the area. The Bill, passed by Parliament, would automatically become law once the President assents to it by signing it.

Protesters wore black T-shirts that bore messages of dissatisfaction with the Bill, while journalists covering the event were in casual wear. Peterson Githaiga, a Nation photojournalist, was among those seized by anti-riot squad officers and hauled into a police lorry. Other journalists arrested included Carol Wandia (K24), Andrew Wanyonyi (Citizen), Jack Owour (Nairobi Star), Stafford Ondego (Standard) and Francis Osure (freelance). They were ferried to the Central Police Station where they were locked up in a cell for almost an hour before being charged with taking part in an unlawful assembly at Kibera law courts. The journalists, who were represented by Mr Paul Muite, denied the charges and were released on a Sh15,000 bond each. Kibera chief magistrate Maureen Odero set the hearing for January 9, next year.

At KICC, Nation reporter Alphonce Shiundu had his pullover lifted to see if he was wearing a T-shirt with a “protest message” before being allowed into the venue. He sat sandwiched between two policemen until the event ended. A few journalists who missed the press badges were temporarily locked out of the venue. Most of the badges had been taken by the President’s guards. Monday’s development follows an incident last Friday when a Nation journalist was assaulted when he wanted to deliver a petition to the President against the Bill.