Life has changed for Kenyan journalist Katherine Wanjeri. The Kememe TV journalist’s routine took a new turn one morning when she met a brutal force of Kenyan police while covering Gen-Z protests inspired by young people demanding good government.
The journalist who has become the face of police brutality was shot three times in the thigh while doing her job by officers, leaving her fighting for her life.
In what threatened to rob Wanjeri of her career and future, the young brave journalist was left clinging to life in the Intensive Care Unit as the offending police officers went scot-free despite pressure by Kenyans for justice.
Now the Nakuru Kameme TV reporter who was shot four times during the anti-government protests in July is fearing for her life following threats from unknown people.
The reporter, Catherine Wanjeri said she has been getting intimidating phone calls from unknown people posing as informers in the ongoing investigation into her shooting.
The journalist said she was initially receiving the calls but later stopped picking any number that was not on her contacts list after the callers became incessant and their messages threatening.
She said one of the callers who claimed to know the Police officer who shot her and his residence warned her against telling anyone that he had called her.
Speaking at the Nakuru Central Police Station where she reported the threats, Wanjeri said there were people monitoring her movements and following her whenever she travelled to Nakuru for treatment.
“At one point, a caller asked me to meet him in order to give me information about the person who shot me and I simply told him to share the details with the police as it could help with investigations,” she said.
Wanjeri was shot four times in the thigh on July 16 as she covered the anti-government protests by Gen-Z in Nakuru Central Business District.
She was admitted to the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital Annex to have the four rubber bullets that were lodged in her thigh removed.
A complaint against police brutality against journalists was launched and later referred to the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) but the culprit in the matter was not been arrested until close to two months later.
Yesterday, Wanjeri said she felt that some people were intimidating her in a bid to silence her and abandon the matter.
“I have contemplated abandoning the matter because I am afraid for myself and my family but the strength and support from Nakuru Journalists’ Association (NJA) and fellow journalists countrywide has kept me going” she said.
Wanjeri intimated that at one time, she had to share her fears with her doctor at PGH Annex when she realised there was always followed her to the facility, parked at the parking lot during her stay and would only leave when she left.
Nakuru Journalists’ chairperson, Joseph Openda wondered why the officer who shot Wanjeri was yet to be arrested and charged with the offence close to two months later.
“The officer is working, most probably armed and roaming the street thus further endangering the life of the affected journalist and witnesses in the matter,” he said.
