Citizen TV Journalist Odee Francis Arrested While Covering Nairobi Fuel Protests

Nairobi, Kenya | October 20, 2026

Citizen TV journalist Odee Francis was arrested on Tuesday while covering demonstrations against rising fuel prices in Nairobi’s Central Business District, renewing concerns over the treatment of journalists covering public protests.

Francis was on assignment along Kimathi Street when plainclothes police officers moved in and arrested him as demonstrators protested against the latest increase in fuel prices.

Footage from the scene showed officers physically dragging the journalist along the street before placing him inside a waiting police vehicle. Members of the public and fellow journalists were heard questioning the officers and pointing out that Francis was a journalist working on assignment.

Francis was taken to Central Police Station, where he was detained alongside some of the activists arrested during the demonstrations. He was later released from police custody.

Speaking after his release, Francis said he had identified himself as a journalist to the officers but was nevertheless ordered to be arrested. Police had not publicly provided a detailed explanation of the specific grounds for his arrest at the time of his release.

The arrest occurred as activists and members of the public took to the streets to protest the latest fuel-price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

Under the new prices that took effect on October 15, the maximum price of Super Petrol in Nairobi increased by KSh12.93 per litre to KSh226.96, while diesel rose by KSh9.90 to KSh227.76. Kerosene recorded the largest increase, rising by KSh28.49 to KSh219.87 per litre.

The increases have raised concerns over the cost of living, with transport operators, businesses and households facing higher operating and transportation costs.

The demonstrations were organised under the Paza Sauti Movement and Concerned Citizens of Kenya, with activists calling for a review of fuel taxes and levies, the suspension of VAT on petroleum products and measures to ease the burden on households and businesses affected by rising energy costs.

Francis' arrest has renewed concerns about the safety of journalists covering demonstrations, where reporters can find themselves caught between protesters and security officers as tensions escalate. Media organisations and press-freedom advocates have previously raised concerns over journalists being harassed, injured or detained while reporting on public demonstrations.

His arrest has also drawn attention to the responsibilities of security officers when dealing with members of the press and the need to ensure that journalists can carry out their work without undue interference.

The incident has renewed questions about the rights of journalists covering public demonstrations and the procedures followed by security officers when dealing with members of the press.