British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) Deputy Africa Editor Anne Soy had to wait for intervention from President Uhuru Kenyatta's niece for her to be released from police station.
Ms Soy was on Friday arrested at Kenyatta International Conference Center where she had attended Homes Expo with her family. She was locked alongside her husband and children.
In a series of tweets, Ms Soy accused security guards of harassment. She had refused to let them inspect her bag as she was exiting the building.
Uhuru's niece Nana Gecaga, who is also the CEO of KICC, intervened after two hours of anguish at the police station before the BBC senior correspondent was released.
"I was told they were checking if I’d stolen anything. I asked what I could possibly have stolen and if I’d acted suspiciously. I was told everyone is checked and there was nothing special about me. I agreed with them on the latter statement & asked if I was a suspect," she wrote.
"A quick update to say we’re all out now and are on our way home. We’ll debrief the kids before posting further details. Big thank you to @NanaGecaga for intervening and resolving the matter swiftly. Thanks for all your messages. We’ll respond to them whenever we can," she added.
It wasn't the first time Soy was being arrested. The only difference was, she wasn't in the line of duty. Ms Soy is credited for covering Burundian crisis in the last four years besides also appearing for BBC in South Sudan.
According to her, Ms Gecaga apologized after the incident before they were allowed to leave. Also, the National Youth Service supervisors availed their apology for the arrest.
"The management made an undertaking to change the way things are done, including re-training the officers on public relations. The NYS supervisor and the CEO of the conference center apologized. We accepted the apologies," Soy noted.
State House Secretary for Digital Innovation Dennis Itumbi lauded Nana Gecaga for timely intervention. He said that the matter was firmly handled.
"I appreciate @KICC_kenya CEO @NanaGecaga for firmly handling the unfortunate incident that led to the arrest of @nndebu & his wife @annesoy at the KICC. Pole sana to the kids especially. We keep learning. One hour of action and lessons," he wrote.