NTV managing editor Ben Kitili angrily slammed Nyali Member of Parliament (MP) Mohammed Ali over his comments about journalists who were attacked by police during the Azimio protest on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
A plainclothes police officer was captured lobbying tear gas canisters inside a vehicle that journalists were using at Kware stage in Embakasi.
NTV cameraman Eric Isinte was hit with a teargas canister while KTN cameraman Timothy Aguna was hit with a blunt object that almost cracked his skull during the incident.
Mohammed Ali in a tweet on Thursday blamed the journalists for the attack saying they were embedded with politicians.
He added that the journalists are Azimio's gun for hire.
"Look at this number plate closely its KDD 233D but taped KBB 233B. It's not a media car it's loaded with speakers, mistake the journalist did was to be embedded with politicians. Dangerous trend for journalists. They must choose to report facts or be Azimio gun for hire, which they are," Mohammed Ali tweeted.
look at this number plate closely its KDD 233D but taped KBB 233B.Its not a media car its loaded with speakers, mistake the journalist did was to be embedded with politicians.dangerous trend for journalists.They must chose to report facts or be Azimio gun for hire, which they are pic.twitter.com/h296yTuJLi— Mohammed Ali, HSC (@MohaJichoPevu) March 30, 2023
Ali's tweet irked NTV managing editor and senior anchor Ben Kitili who dismissed him as a letdown to the journalism profession. (The Nyali MP used to be a journalist before he joined politics).
"Mhesh, you are a letdown to this profession. You are a lawmaker yet you're using technicalities to justify police deliberately attacking & maiming journalists?! Dark days ahead. It's particularly disappointing coming from you. Doctors who are politicians protect their profession." Kitili tweeted.
Mhesh, you are a let down to this profession. You are lawmaker yet you're using technicalities to justify police deliberately attacking & maiming journalists?! Dark days ahead. It's particularly disappointing coming from you. Doctors who are politicians protect their profession. https://t.co/nrquvSMFoP— Ben Kitili (@Ben_Kitili) March 31, 2023
Ali hit back in a quick rejoinder, claiming that journalists have destroyed the foundation he and others laid down for them.
"You guys destroyed the foundation we laid down for you. Im so pissed off! Go back to the real journalism, don’t take sides, enjoy the freedom and give us facts. wacha mafeelings!" Ali tweeted.
You guys destroyed the foundation we laid down for you. Im so pissed off! Go back to the real journalism, don’t take sides, enjoy the freedom and give us facts. wacha mafeelings! https://t.co/A89pdUxiht— Mohammed Ali, HSC (@MohaJichoPevu) March 31, 2023