Human rights activists and journalists on Friday stormed Central Police Station in Mombasa to demand the release of journalist Peter Mwita, who was arrested on December 31 and has yet to be presented in court.
According to VOCAL Africa, the journalist was detained following his publication of information naming politicians allegedly behind the funding of the “Panga Boys” gang operating in Kisauni, Mombasa County.
“This represents a blatant abuse of police resources aimed at silencing the media,” the human rights group said in a statement, calling for immediate action to protect press freedom.
The activists said Mwita’s arrest sends a chilling message to journalists and media houses reporting on matters of public interest, warning that intimidation of the media should not be tolerated.
“As human rights defenders, we commit to stand with the media fraternity and ensure press freedom is guaranteed. No threats and intimidation of the media of any kind should be tolerated,” the statement added.
VOCAL Africa and other media rights defenders said they will continue following up on the case until Mwita is released and assured of due legal process.
Mwita’s detention has reignited calls from civil society and human rights organizations for law enforcement agencies to uphold media independence and protect whistleblowers reporting on corruption and organized crime.
The Central Police Station has not issued an official comment on Mwita’s detention, but activists warned that continued delays in presenting him in court amount to a violation of both Kenyan law and international standards on press freedom.
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) had condemned the arrest and detention of Mombasa-based journalist Peter Mwita Maseke, calling it an attempt to intimidate the media and silence reporting on issues of public interest.
In a statement issued on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the council said Mwita, a journalist working for Althifaa Media Group in Mombasa County, should be released on free bond following his detention by police under what it described as unclear circumstances.
MCK said the arrest was directly linked to his journalistic work and raised serious concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in the country.
“The arrest of Mwita for journalistic work relating to matters of public interest is a blatant attempt to silence whistleblowers and push journalists into self-censorship,” the council said.
It warned that police should not misuse the law or deny Kenyans their legitimate rights, including the right to bail.
The council demanded the immediate cessation of what it termed harassment against the journalist and called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene.
“The Council demands the immediate cessation of harassment against Mwita and calls upon the Inspector General of Police to ensure that officers respect the boundary between law enforcement and media freedom,” it said.
