NAIROBI, KENYA – The recent violent incident at Kettle House Bar and Grill in Kenya has sparked outrage and calls for immediate action. Kileleshwa Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has strongly denounced the aggression displayed by security personnel and bouncers towards journalists, resulting in injuries to several media practitioners.
Alai emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the matter, highlighting the direct assault on the freedom of the press and expression. He called for swift and transparent action to ensure that those responsible for the violent acts are brought to justice and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The altercation occurred as police officers targeted the establishment for allowing patrons to smoke shisha, a banned activity in Kenya. During the confrontation, several journalists and police officers sustained injuries, with some also having their equipment damaged in the scuffle.
Among the injured individuals was Nation Media photographer Boniface Bogita, who sustained two stab wounds to the ribs but is reported to be in stable condition. Kenya Broadcasting Corporation journalist Jane Kibira was also stabbed in the back, while others faced physical assault and had their cameras confiscated and destroyed.
Following the incident, police officers took control of the situation, arresting individuals involved in the violent acts and recovering a knife suspected to have been used in the stabbings. The Kettle House Bar and Grill has faced previous complaints from neighbors regarding loud music, prompting action during the recent raid against shisha.
The operation, led by National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) officials, resulted in the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of shisha pots. Shisha was banned in Kenya in 2017, with offenders facing fines starting at Ksh 50,000 or a minimum jail term of six months.