Mumias journalist threatened

A Mumias-based journalist has recorded statements with the area police after he was threatened by a known person. Joel Eshikumo, who corresponds for the Weekly Citizen in Butere-Mumias, recorded a statement at the Mumias Police Station claiming that he was threatened by a businessman in Mumias town.

“He threatened to send people to my house and finish me because I took photographs in court when he was being charged with obtaining with pretence,” said Eshikumo.

He said prior to meeting with the businessman, he had been receiving calls from unknown numbers telling him to be prepared to die any time over the pictures he took in court.

Mumias police chief George Seda advised the public to cease from sending threatening messages on their phones ''because technology is high and they can be caught up from wherever they are''.

He said locals who have issues with their peers should look for amicable ways of solving their differences other than threatening to kill or harm. “The arm of the law will not spare such people who threaten others out of their skins,” he said.

On 27th April 2012, the said businessman Armstrong Pino Rajul alongside Francis Kaburu appeared in court where he was charged with three counts of threatening to cause injury to property and the family of William Nengo Musumba, malicious damage and forceful detention of the said family.

While in court the journalist in question was among a group of other scribes who went to cover the court cases as usual and took pictures of the two suspects in the dock. The accused denied the charges and were sent to remand at the Kakamega GK prison. He however paid bond of one million shillings are released on bail.

Cases of threats are on the increase in Mumias. Last week, a Bishop reported to police and recorded a statement with the CID office after receiving numerous threatening phone calls from restricted number.

Mumias police chief George Seda has advised members of the public to cease from sending threatening messages on their phones 'because technology is high and they can be caught up from wherever they are'.

He said locals who have issues with their peers should look for amicable ways of solving their differences other than threatening to kill or harm. “The arm of the law will not spare such people who threaten others out of their skins” he said.