Journalists injured, equipment stolen amid chaos at Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay
Reports indicate that at least four journalists sustained injuries, while many others lost valuables as the hostile environment unfolded during the event.
Several journalists were injured on Sunday while covering the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County, after police officers and criminal gangs targeted media personnel in a wave of violence and chaos.
Reports indicate that at least four journalists sustained injuries, while many others lost valuables as the hostile environment unfolded during the event.
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Groups of goons, some coming from as far as Kisumu, reportedly gathered at the stadium and seized mobile phones and money from attendees.
Police officers allegedly physically assaulted journalists from Standard Group, NTV, KTN TV, and Citizen TV, leaving them with leg injuries.
“We had our media accreditation, but they still targeted us. They pushed us and started hitting us with batons, and that is how I got injured,” NTV’s Mable Achieng told The Standard.
Meanwhile, NTV journalist George Odiwuor reportedly lost his laptop when goons took advantage of the disorder to rob him. Another journalist also reported losing a mobile phone in the chaos.
“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,” Interim Chairman of the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Rushdie Oudia said.
He condemned the police officers for their “utter irresponsibility and brazenness”, noting that those meant to protect lives instead attacked journalists.
Oudia called for a full investigation and accountability, urging the Office of the President, the Ministry of Interior, and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to act swiftly.
“We must protect the dignity and freedom of journalists who are simply doing their work in service to the public,” he said.
KUJ described the attacks as a blatant violation of press freedom, emphasising that accredited journalists were denied access and violently pushed back by officers at the main gate.
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