Probe arrest of KBC scribe over retweet

Allow me to condemn in the strongest terms possible the arrest and questioning of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) journalist Judith Akolo by detectives in connection to her demonstration of her freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution.

Apparently, Akolo’s only crime was to retweet a post by a blogger that had a letter purportedly signed by a senior officer at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) asking police officers who wish to join the department to apply. Funny enough, the letter was sent out on the deadline date.

Instead of arresting the KBC journalist and confiscating her mobile phone, the police should have requested the author of the tweet to appear before and explain why he posted it on social media.

Secondly, the officers should have thanked the blogger for highlighting the matter and then question the officer who wrote the letter to find out his motive. I say so because there is more to that letter than meets the eye. It is my feeling that someone in the police service is hell-bent on sabotaging police reforms for certain unknown interests. This should be resisted to safeguard the professionalism in the National Police Service.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and DCI boss Ndegwa Muhoro should investigate the matter with a view to taking appropriate action.