Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o’s director of protocol Bob Madanji has been summoned by police for allegedly threatening to beat up a journalist.
He was summoned by Kisumu central police station crime officers. He had threatened Fredrick Odiero, a Kisumu-based correspondent with The Sun Weekly.
The county officer allegedly issued the threats two weeks ago over a story. He confronted the journalist outside the White Rose laundries at Tivoli centre and accused him of tarnishing his name in the media. “He threatened to slap me and warned that he does not want to see me in Kisumu,” Odiero said.
Odiero, who was in the company of James Keyi of Reuters, reported the matter to the police.
County police commander Benson Maweu said the matter is under investigations.
Kenya Union of Journalist’s secretary general Eric Oduor recently said cases of journalists being targeted by county officials are on the rise.
Kisumu-based human rights activist Audi Ogada condemned the attacks.
“These people play crucial role in society and must be given space to work without interference,” he said.
Ogada advised those with complaints against a media house or a journalist to follow the right process.
Last year, Kisumu Tourism and Sports executive Achie Alai apologised to journalists for calling them silly. Achie, who by then doubled as the communication executive, made the remarks when questioned on the benefit of the numerous foreign trips by Governor Nyong’o.
Journalists based in the county had given Alai 14 days to apologise or they will boycott covering her functions.
In October last year, police officers guarding Homa Bay assembly attacked and injured a Standard Media Group journalist.
James Omoro suffered injuries on his hands and shoulder. His Sh70,000 Nikon Camera was smashed by an officer. He had gone to the assembly to cover two warring factions at the assembly.
During the August 2017 General Election, more than six journalists were assaulted by police officers, while on duty.
