Uproar after Star journalist assaulted, wounded in Siaya attack

Radio Africa Group has demanded a swift investigation into the attack on its correspondent who was wounded at an MP's event in Gem on Sunday.

Star Newspaper correspondent Josiah Odanga was assaulted and wounded by fellow journalists who he said were unhappy with him for turning up to cover the event at Karariw Primary School, where local MP Elisha Odhiambo was distributing bursary cheques to needy students.

He was hit on the head where he sustained a wound. Odanga was taken to Siaya County Referral Hospital while bleeding from the head.

His mobile phone and a wristwatch were also damaged by his attackers.

The matter was reported at the Siaya county police headquarters under OB No 42/20/01/24.

"We call upon the police in Siaya county to swiftly investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. It is crucial that the rule of law be upheld and those responsible be held accountable for their actions," Radio Africa Group Head of Content Paul Ilado said.

Odanga was attacked by Radio Ramogi reporter George Amolo and freelance writer Goretty Juma, whom he said were unhappy with him for turning up at the event which they wanted covered by a few select journalists.

"I was conversing with a colleague when he came verbally assaulting and pointing at me. I implored him to calm down but he refused," Odanga said.

The female journalist joined the attacker almost immediately.

"She first wanted to hit me with a camera tripod but I disarmed her before she hit my head with the camera, causing a dent that led to profuse bleeding." 

Odanga said the journalists feel he should not be covering news in Siaya because he was born and bred in Homa Bay county.

"It deeply saddens us that our reporter was targeted by fellow journalists simply because he hails from a different county. Every journalist, regardless of their background, deserves the right to carry out their work without fear of violence or intimidation," Ilado said.

Odanga said MP Elisha immediately apologised to him for the attack and urged for unity among the journalists.

Kenya Union of Journalists Secretary General Eric Owuor also condemned the attack and asked police to bring perpetrators to book.

"Journalism is not a crime.  We demand that action be taken against the perpetrators and their masters," Oduor said.

Odanga said his colleagues who attacked him have been discriminative towards him and other journalists who are non-natives of Siaya and often label them using nasty names.

"To them, it seems, Siaya county is theirs to work in and dominate. For instance, they call me Ja' South, meaning a person from South Nyanza," Odanga said.

Ja'South, in the context used, is an undertone suggesting discrimination in the basis of one's origin.

Odanga has called on the MCK to rein in on quacks who masquerade as journalists, and journalists who unethically seek to monopolise news sources.

"You see, MCK is our regulator, not any other colleague that we meet in the field who is not even our bosses," Odanga said.