The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation into the arrest and brief detention of Citizen TV journalist Odee Francis, who was picked up by police while covering protests against high fuel prices in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The watchdog said it had opened the inquiry on its own motion on 20 October, the day of the incident, and contacted the journalist on Wednesday, 21 October, as part of its preliminary inquiries, KBC reported.

At least seven officers are expected to be questioned, according to Kenyans.co.ke, including the Nairobi Central OCPD, Patrick Gogo, and the officer commanding Central Police Station, Joab Onyapidi. The remaining five are officers accused of taking part in the arrest.

What IPOA will examine

In its statement, IPOA said the inquiries "will seek to establish the circumstances of the arrest and detention" and "determine whether the actions of the officers involved complied with the law and established policing procedures," KBC reported.

The authority said its investigators will visit Central Police Station to examine relevant records and take statements from officers who were deployed to manage public order during the protests. It cited Articles 244, 33, 34 and 35 of the Constitution, which deal with police accountability, freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information.

Once the investigation is complete, IPOA says it will make recommendations to the relevant institutions, including on accountability where culpability is established. It also plans to propose ways of improving cooperation between the police and the media during public order operations.

The journalist's account

Francis was covering demonstrations along Kimathi Street in the city centre, held on Mashujaa Day, when he was arrested. He says he was filming from the side where journalists were positioned when activists began to flee, and that a uniformed officer pointed at him and ordered his arrest.

He says he identified himself several times and showed his press card, but officers ignored him. He alleges that plainclothes officers dragged and beat him, tore his clothes and forced him into a police vehicle, before he was driven to Central Police Station along with activists, Kenyans.co.ke reported.

He was released without charge after the OCPD intervened. The officers are expected to explain why they arrested him despite his repeated identification as a journalist.

Media groups demand accountability

The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya condemned the arrest and assault and called on the police and IPOA to investigate and hold any officers found culpable to account.

The incident has added to concern over the treatment of journalists covering protests. Media Council of Kenya figures cited by Kenyans.co.ke show 92 press freedom violations were recorded in 2025, down from 130 in 2024, with physical assaults making up about two-thirds of the cases.

IPOA said it remains committed to investigating incidents involving police officers and journalists independently and impartially. The National Police Service had not issued a public statement on the officers' conduct at the time of publication.

Photos: Odee Francis during his arrest, Kenyans.co.ke; Odee Francis speaking after his release, KBC.