Calls intensify for release of Standard journalist Collins Kweyu

By Newsflash Team

The journalism fraternity in Kenya is up in arms following the arrest and continued detention of Standard Group photojournalist Collins Kweyu, who was picked up on Friday, September 19, and is currently being held by police.

Kweyu, a seasoned journalist, was arrested while pursuing a graft story involving a Migori-based magistrate alleged to have received a hefty bribe.

His colleagues said he had been probing claims that the judicial officer was bribed to influence a ruling in favour of one of the parties in a contentious case.

After his arrest, Kweyu was taken to Central Police Station in Nairobi, where he is being detained as detectives prepare to transfer him to Migori.

Circumstances of the arrest

Although it remains unclear who ordered the journalist’s arrest, police officers at Central Police Station in Nairobi maintained that the directive originated from detectives in Migori County.

According to them, the case being pursued against Kweyu involves alleged cybercrime, in which the journalist and two others are said to be suspects.

The officers further argued that since the arrest order came from Migori, they could not grant him bail. Instead, they indicated plans were underway to transfer him to Migori, where the complainant – the magistrate- filed the case.

By Saturday, his family confirmed that Kweyu was still being held by police.

Growing concern among journalists

The arrest sparked outrage among journalists, media associations, and press freedom advocates, who condemned what they termed as state harassment of reporters probing corruption in the judiciary.

The arrest, carried out late on a Friday evening, raised suspicion that it was designed to prolong Kweyu’s detention through the weekend.

The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK), in a strongly-worded statement, linked the journalist’s arrest to his investigative work.

“Using state machinery to silence a journalist investigating possible corruption within the judiciary is an attack not only on press freedom but on the very rule of law itself. Arresting him on a Friday evening to ensure prolonged detention until Monday only deepens the suspicion of bad faith,” said CJAK Secretary General Brian Obuya.

CJAK further raised alarm over what it described as a worrying pattern of intimidation against journalists in Kenya. It warned that attempts to compel Kweyu to disclose his sources would be a grave violation of press freedom and constitutional protections for journalists.

The association invoked the memory of the late teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, who died under controversial circumstances in police custody. “We call upon the police to ensure Mr Kweyu’s safety and dignity while in custody. We will not allow history to repeat itself,” CJAK said.

Court Reporters Association joins in

The Court Reporters Association of Kenya (CRAK) also condemned the arrest, urging the authorities to release Kweyu immediately.

In its statement, CRAK noted:

“While we recognize the duty of law enforcement to investigate allegations of wrongdoing, we emphasize that every suspect is entitled to bail unless compelling reasons are presented to justify continued detention, as stipulated by law. Mr Kweyu is a respected and long-serving journalist with a known place of residence. We urge the authorities to release him as investigations continue.”

The association stressed that pre-trial detention should never be used as punishment and reminded authorities that every suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Call for accountability

The Director of Criminal Investigations, Amin Mohamed, has also called for the journalist’s release.

Press freedom groups insisted that journalists must be allowed to carry out their watchdog role without fear of reprisals from state institutions.

“Harassment of journalists cannot and will not be tolerated. We demand Mr Kweyu’s immediate release, or that he be presented before a court of law without delay,” CJAK emphasized.

By going to press, Kweyu was still being held by police.