Media Council of Kenya training director Victor Bwire /HANDOUTThe Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called for urgent investigations and prosecution following attacks on journalists during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday.
At least eight journalists and two drivers were injured during the incidents, while media equipment was destroyed or stolen and a vehicle belonging to a media house was burnt, according to MCK.
The Council said Francis Mwangi and Evans Okeyo of Mediamax Network were badly injured and their vehicle burnt during the attacks.
Standard Group journalists Sammy Omingo and Rodgers Otiso were physically assaulted, while Agence France-Presse journalists Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro were attacked and had their cameras destroyed.
Ken Odiwuor of KBC-Mayienga was also beaten and his equipment stolen, while Citizen TV journalist Kevin Fraji and his driver were assaulted and their vehicle destroyed.
MCK Director of Media Training and Development Victor Bwire called on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Inspector General of the National Police Service to act against those responsible.
“The Council is deeply concerned by the unprecedented attacks on journalists witnessed across the country in recent weeks, which have resulted in injuries, destruction of equipment, and online harassment by security agents, goons, and political party supporters, with little action from the responsible authorities,” Bwire said.
He said failure to investigate and prosecute perpetrators was creating a dangerous environment for journalists and threatening media freedom ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“The Council is convinced that the continued attacks, intimidation and crimes against journalists, and the reluctance by the relevant investigating agencies to prosecute the perpetrators is the biggest threat to the country's democracy and media freedom,” he said.
MCK said the Homa Bay incidents were part of a wider pattern of attacks against journalists. The Council said 18 journalists and at least two drivers from different media houses had been assaulted and injured in the past two months.
On August 12, Nation Media Group photojournalist Karim Rajan was injured near the Mombasa County Assembly while covering a gathering involving youth and human rights representatives.
MCK said five journalists from Mt Elgon TV were attacked on July 23 while covering a political aspirant in Kimilili, with one seriously injured.
During the Ol Kalou by-election, at least four journalists were also physically attacked and their equipment confiscated. They included George Kieru, Brygette Ngana and Fabiola Akinyi of Nation Media Group and Enos Teche of The Star.
The Council said the cases had been documented and submitted to the Inspector General of Police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the ODPP for investigation and prosecution.
However, it said little progress had been made.
MCK urged security agencies and the public prosecutor to work with affected journalists and media organisations to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The Council said attacks on journalists violate constitutional protections, including freedom of expression, human dignity and the freedom and security of the person.
It also cited Kenya's international obligations, including Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, UNESCO Resolution 29 of 1997 on violence against journalists and UN Security Council Resolution 1738 of 2006, which calls for the protection of journalists.
“Despite Kenya's laws and international treaties requiring authorities to guarantee a safe working environment for journalists, their safety and protection remain elusive,” Bwire said.
MCK warned that continued impunity could embolden perpetrators and further undermine media freedom and access to information as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election.
It called on the police and ODPP to urgently act on the reported cases and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
