The media fraternity has condemned with the strongest terms possible the violence unleashed on two journalists by ODM leader Raila Odinga’s supporters.
The two Moses Nyamori of Standard Digital and Luke Awich of the Star newspaper were reportedly attacked on Thursday, March 24, at the precincts of the Chungwa house over alleged stories they carried in their respective publication last week.
The well-built men under the command of Chungwa House head of security Benard Kadundo roughed up the reporters and physically ejected them out of Chungwa House where Raila was receiving Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku who was decamping to the Orange Party from Jubilee.
The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) secretary-general Eric Oduor has termed the acts as primitive and demanded that the culprits be identified and handed over to police by the conveners of today’s news event.
“Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) goons today at Orange House unleashed terror on journalists leaving one injured. The primitive acts should not be condoned in a civilized society where the journalists are required to serve the public for the common good of the country,
“We call upon the police to investigate the attacks on the journalists and the culprits prosecuted without further delays,” Oduor said in a statement.
The union further called upon the politicians to guarantee the safety of journalists ahead of the August 9, General Election.
Their attack comes less than a month after the Media Council of Kenya established a team that will spearhead the safety of journalists ahead of the August 9, polls.
A statement by MCK CEO David Omwoyo Omwoyo says the team was formed in response to a steady increase in threats to journalists and media workers in this electioneering period.
“The team comprising editorial directors, editorial directors, editors-in-chief and heads of content, will collectively develop practical working modalities and protocols to ensure the protection of journalists and media workers in the field during the electioneering period,” Omwoyo said.
