The Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN), led by Chairman Rushdie Oudia, has condemned yesterday’s attack on journalists covering the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County.
In what should have been a routine exercise of democratic press freedom, media practitioners were met with shameless, coordinated violence orchestrated by armed goons.
The attackers barricaded roads with logs, electric poles, and concrete blocks to trap, intimidate, and inflict physical harm on the press.
In his official statement, Mr Oudia stressed that the horrific ambush was not merely an assault on individual reporters; it was a direct, criminal attack on the public’s constitutional right to information under Article 35 of the Kenyan Constitution, as well as a blatant attempt to silence independent journalism through bloodshed, destruction, and terror.
“The media plays a fundamental role in any democratic society, particularly during political and electoral periods. They must be allowed to perform their role without intimidation, harassment, or violence,” Oudia stated.
“Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees every citizen the right of access to information. This constitutional guarantee cannot be realized where journalists are attacked, threatened, or prevented from doing their work.”
Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalists Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro were brutally assaulted by armed thugs who forcefully robbed them of their press credentials, cameras, driver’s licenses, and personal phones.
K24 cameraman, Francis, was left bleeding profusely from severe injuries before being rushed for emergency medical care.
Standard Media Group photojournalist narrowly escaped a deadly blow when a goon swung a double-edged sword through his vehicle’s door, while KTN reporter Bramwell Bwire was targeted by an attacker who slashed through his car window with a panga (machete).
The violence escalated into rampant vandalism as vehicles belonging to the Standard Media Group, Nation Media Group, KBC’s Mayienga FM, and Citizen TV were severely damaged.
Vehicle belonging to Mediamax was completely burned to the ground, forcing traumatized journalists to flee for their lives and seek refuge at a local police station.
This reckless, state-defying violence must mark the absolute end of impunity for political thugs and their handlers.
KJN vehemently demands that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and all investigative agencies immediately hunt down, arrest, and prosecute not only the hired goons who wielded the weapons, but also the self-serving political figures who funded, organized, and incited these acts of terror.
“Investigations must not stop at those who carried out the physical attacks; those who organized, financed, facilitated, or incited the violence must equally be held accountable,” Oudia emphasized, calling for full legal action.
Political leaders who turn young people into violent militias to intimidate the press are an absolute stain on democracy and must be held directly accountable.
The network also demands the urgent recovery of all stolen media equipment and sends an unmistakable message to political agitators: journalists are protected custodians of the public interest who will not be silenced, coerced, or used as collateral damage in brutal political games.
“The safety of journalists cannot be treated as an afterthought. An attack on a journalist who is informing the public is an attack on the public itself,” Mr. Oudia concluded.
