Kenyan journalist Macharia Gaitho released from police custody just hours after a violent abduction
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Veteran Kenyan journalist Macharia Gaitho has been released from police custody just hours after a violent abduction, which the National Police Service (NPS) now claims was a case of mistaken identity.
Gaitho was taken into custody at the Karen Police Station in Nairobi by men who introduced themselves as officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) but refused to provide identification, according to his daughter, Anita Gaitho.
“This is the car that abducted him. Look at that foolish driver wanting to knock us down when leaving. These fu***** criminals. They claim to be DCI, they had guns and handcuffs and refused to identify themselves,” Ms. Gaitho posted on X (formerly Twitter).
She shared videos showing a white Toyota Probox speeding out of the police station and another Subaru Forester, which she claimed was used by police to block their car.
In a post on X, the National Police Service explained that they had intended to arrest Francis Gaitho.
“This morning, we arrested journalist Macharia Gaitho in a case of mistaken identity, meant for the arrest of Francis Gaitho who is our subject of investigation,” the post read.
“We reiterate that as a Service, we do not target journalists in any way, and today’s incident is highly regrettable.”
Kenyan journalist Macharia Gaitho released from police custody just hours after a violent abduction
