Journalist shot during protests in Nakuru

By Peter Ochieng

A journalist was shot during protests in Nakuru, on Tuesday.

Wanjeri Kariuki, a Kameme TV journalist sustained a gunshot wound while covering the anti-government protests dubbed ‘Occupy CBD everywhere.’

Kameme TV is under Mediamax Media company. She was reportedly shot while standing outside a local bank’s premises. Bullets hit her on the thigh. Kariuki was rushed to the Valley Hospital by fellow journalists.

On Tuesday, demonstrators resumed anti-government protests in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Kisii among other areas in the country, in a sustained push for better governance from President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.

Protesters chanted anti-Ruto songs, with anti-Ruto placards hoisted in the air, demanding that he sacks Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. The former Vice President doubles up as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora affairs.

Last week, Ruto dissolved his entire cabinet, save for his deputy Rigathi Gachagua and Mudavadi. Gachagua’s post is constitutional, while Mudavadi’s Chief Cabinet Secretary slot is not.

Protesters argue that since his post is not constitutional, President Ruto’s ‘iron broom’ should not have spared him. Meanwhile, Senior Counsel John Khaminwa has asked the youthful protesters to stop the demonstrations, and let President William Ruto address the issues they have raised, including stopping wastage in government.

In his handwritten statement published by lawyer Nelson Havi on his X account, Khaminwa said the push by youth will turn ugly, if their push continues. He said it will reach a point where no one will be willing to speak to another, which will be dangerous for the stability of the country.

“One learns a lot about human nature when he has access to history. Our youths have spoken. They have been heard by the establishment. Let them not go further, to do so would bring disaster as there would be no Kenya to talk about and complain against,” he insisted.