Journalists caught in chaos nurse injuries

Journalist Denis Onsongo helps The Standard's photographer Beverlyne Musili, who was injured while covering clashes in Mathare. [Willis Awandu, Standard]

The increasingly polarised political climate in the country has led to a growing trend in which journalists are finding themselves on the receiving end of chaos and violence.

Yesterday, The Standard photographer Beverlyne Musili and a fellow cameraman were injured as they covered the aftermath of the chaos in Riverside, Ruaraka.

Vantage position

Ms Musili fell from the top of a vehicle that was hit by a teargas canister lobbed by police. She sustained injuries in the neck and hands.

The photographer had climbed onto the vehicle to get a vantage position from which to take a good photo of the crowd when the driver suddenly drove off without notice, sending those atop the vehicle tumbling.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga was visiting residents on his way to Baba Dogo when the situation turned chaotic.

Musili said she thought it best to climb on top of the vehicle carrying the speakers Raila was using to address the crowd.

Security Officers look for protesters in Mathare. (Photo: Beverlyne Musili/Standard)

“I could not get the picture from the ground so I chose to get onto the vehicle along with another camera person,” she said.

According to a reporter from The Standard who was also present, a confrontation between the police and youths ensued as Raila was leaving. Police threw teargas canisters to disperse them.

The canister hit the vehicle Musili and others were on and the driver, who panicked, swerved suddenly, which threw them off. “It was at this point that I, the other cameraman and an MP whom I understand broke his leg, fell. I tried to pick him up not realising how badly injured I was,” she said.

The incident comes two days after yet another Standard Group TV journalist, Duncan Khaemba, was injured while covering Raila’s return from a trip to the US.

Police brutality

Mr Khaemba, who covered the return live on KTN News, was hit and injured on the head as he reported on violent incidents that were also covered live by other TV stations.

A Nation Media Group vehicle was hit by a teargas canister with reporters Silas Apollo, Brian Moseti and photographer Denis Onsongo inside.

A few weeks ago, Khaemba and fellow journalist Davis Otieno were arrested while reporting on police brutality in Kibera.