At least four journalists covering Madaraka Day celebrations at Raila Odinga Stadium
in Homa Bay on Sunday were assaulted and harassed by security officers,
sparking outrage.
Among those injured were KTN TV producer Steve Okedi, Royal Media Services journalist Ephantus Maina, and Nation Media Group (NMG) producer Mable Achieng’.
Maina and Achieng’ received emergency treatment from the Red Cross
team stationed at the venue.
Okedi said that despite showing his accreditation, security officers shoved him
away, injuring his leg.
He was only allowed into the venue after a senior officer intervened.
Achieng’ said she arrived at the stadium by 5 a.m. as directed during a
media briefing by the Regional Commissioner, but was still manhandled.
“They kept pushing us and eventually started
hitting us. That is how I got injured, alongside other residents,” she said.
In the chaos, NMG correspondent George Odiwuor
lost his phone and laptop, while another unnamed journalist was also attacked.
“The incidents witnessed today are not only
shocking but amount to interference and suppression of the freedom of the press
as enshrined in Articles 33 and 34 of the Kenyan Constitution,” said Oudia.
He accused police officers of “utter
irresponsibility and brazenness,” noting that the security personnel tasked
with protecting citizens turned their force against journalists instead.
KJN Interim Chairman Rushdie Oudia condemned the attack as a “blatant
violation of press freedom,” saying journalists with valid accreditation were
denied access and violently pushed back by officers manning the main gate.
KJN called for a full investigation into the incident and wants those
responsible held accountable.
The network has urged the Office of the President, the Ministry of Interior,
and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to take immediate action.
“We
must protect the dignity and freedom of journalists who are simply doing their
work in service to the public,” said Oudia.
