Nairobi, Kenya – The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) expressed strong condemnation for the recent incident at Kettle House Bar and Grill, which resulted in injuries to journalists and police officers.
Chairman of NACADA, Stephen Mairori, emphasized the legal rights of journalists and law enforcement officers to carry out their duties without facing threats or violence. Mairori stated that the violent response to the crackdown on illegal shisha activities is unacceptable and criminal charges have been filed against the offenders.
KUJ’s Secretary General, Erick Oduor, underscored the importance of journalists’ right to serve society and called for appropriate action to be taken by law enforcement.
The incident unfolded when officials targeted the establishment for allowing patrons to smoke shisha, which is prohibited in Kenya. Journalists and police officers sustained injuries during the confrontation, and some had their equipment damaged.
The altercation occurred as police, accompanied by journalists and NACADA officials, attempted to apprehend club managers and patrons for alleged shisha smoking. The journalists were physically assaulted by the club’s bouncers, and their recording equipment was confiscated. Several individuals were arrested, and a knife suspected to have been used in the stabbings was recovered. The Kettle House Bar and Grill had previously faced complaints from neighbors about loud music, prompting action during the recent raid against shisha.
Shisha has been banned in Kenya since 2017, with penalties including fines starting at Ksh 50,000 or a minimum jail term of six months. Furthermore, NACADA’s CEO and Head of Enforcement led the operation, resulting in several arrests and the recovery of shisha pots.
The injured individuals, including Nation Media photographer Boniface Bogita, are reported to be in stable condition. This incident highlights the need for strict enforcement of laws regarding banned substances and the protection of journalists and law enforcement officers in the line of duty.