CJAK demands release of journalist Collins Kweyu
By Ascah Mwango, September 20, 2025The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) has condemned the arrest of Standard Group reporter Collins Kweyu, who is currently locked up at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
In a press statement released on Friday, September 19, 2025, CJAK said the police arrested Kweyu after a complaint was filed by a judge from Migori.
Though details remain sketchy, the journalist linked his arrest to a story he was working on. In the piece, complainants claimed the judge had been mentioned in a Ksh10 million bribery scheme.
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CJAK said the arrest was meant to silence a journalist digging into possible corruption in the judiciary. They also questioned why police carried out the operation late on Friday, September 19, 2025, pointing out that such timing would keep Kweyu in custody over the weekend.
“Using state machinery to silence a journalist investigating possible corruption within the judiciary is an attack not only on press freedom but also on the very rule of law itself,” a statement by CJAK Secretary General Brian Obuya said.
The association further faulted court orders that allowed police to raid Kweyu’s home and take his computer. They said the action was aimed at identifying his sources, which goes against journalistic principles.
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“In journalism, sources are sacred. Any attempt to compel Mr Kweyu to reveal his sources is a grave infringement on press freedom and a direct violation of constitutional protection of journalists in Kenya,” the statement added.
CJAK also reminded the authorities of journalist Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody under unclear circumstances. They warned against a repeat of such incidents and demanded that Kweyu be freed immediately or charged in court without delay.
“A free press is the cornerstone of democracy, and we will not relent in defending it,” CJAK said, vowing to push back against intimidation of journalists.
