Police on Saturday arrested nine journalists and a Member of Parliament as they conducted evictions in Makima area, Mbeere South, Embu County.
The officers were evicting thousands of families from the contested land an exercise that had drawn opposition from local leaders.
According to the Media Council of Kenya, nine journalists who were covering the Saturday event were arrested alongside area MP Geoffrey King'ang'i.
The journalist includes Solomon Mwaniki, William Moige( Standard Media Group) Dennis Fundi( Meru TV) Brian Mlila( County FM) Mary Wangare ( Coro FM) U-TV's Dan Makenge and Josephat Makundi, Peter Mungai ( Citizen TV).
They were detained at Matuu Police Station before being released unconditionally
The MP however was released on a Sh 50,000 police bail.
The Saturday exercise saw 5000 families in Makima and traders from Ndunguni market left homeless and their business premises demolished after Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA) claimed ownership of the said land.
Area leaders led by MP King'ang'I and nominated MP Cecily Mbarire condemned the evictions accusing TARDA of violating the rights of the residents
The leaders that no notice was given to the residents.
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