The National Police Service has responded to a spate of criticism following the chaos witnessed during the Madaraka Day event at the Raila Odinga Stadium on Sunday, June 1, that left several journalists nursing injuries.
In a statement, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga denied claims that journalists were specifically targeted by authorities after several members of the press were allegedly clobbered by police officers while attempting to enter the venue.
According to police, the injured journalists happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time as authorities tried to apply crowd control measures to contain a group who wanted to gain unauthorised access to the president's inner circle. "There was significant pushing and shoving by groups of youths attempting to force entry into the stadium.
This compelled security officers at the presidential entrance to act appropriately to prevent unlawful intrusion," the statement read.
