The National Police Service (NPS) on Wednesday clarified the arrest of former Nation Media editor Macharia Gaitho, who had allegedly been abducted earlier that morning.

Expressing remorse, the police service claimed Gaitho's arrest was a case of mistaken identity.

According to the police, they intended to arrest Francis Gaitho for an investigation, but officers mistakenly detained the journalist.

"The National Police Service would like to clarify to the public that this morning, we arrested journalist Macharia Gaitho in a case of mistaken identity," read part of the police statement. "Meant for the arrest of Francis Gaitho who is our subject of investigation."

The officers, regretting the decision, emphasized that they were not targeting journalists and that the incident was highly regrettable.

"The National Police Service remains committed to working with the media while discharging our mandate of promoting accountability and transparency," the police service reiterated.

The former journalist was arrested after driving to Karen Police Station. He was traveling with his son when he noticed a car trailing them.

In a video obtained by the media, a group of men in civilian clothes forcibly pulled the journalist out of his car before bundling him into another vehicle and driving away.

While confirming the reports of his arrest, Macharia's daughter, Anita Gaitho, revealed that the police drove the veteran journalist back to the Karen Police Station.

According to Anita, the family also recorded an abduction report at the police station.

"I’m with my dad, Macharia Gaitho. He’s just been brought to Karen police station by the car that abducted him. He’s safe although they roughed him up a bit. We’re making the abduction report right now," she disclosed.