We believe that the police are deliberately targeting journalists in a violent crackdown." The police denied responsibility and said they had moved in to disperse an illegal gathering of opposition supporters. "Police deny any deliberate involvement in the death of the journalist," police commissioner of operations Paul Chagonja said in a statement.
"Baada ya kutokea ajali hiyo tuliangalia eneo la tukio ambalo halikuwa na maandishi yoyote wala kitu chochote kilichoashiria kuwa lifti hiyo ni mbovu, tunaomba uchunguzi ufanyike, inaonesha lifti hiyo ni mbovu kwa muda mrefu lakini hakuna tahadhari yoyote iliyochukuliwa na uongozi wa hoteli hiyo," alisema.