Kenya Editors Guild condemns assault of journalists in Homa Bay

In a statement on Sunday, the Kenya Editors Guild described the incident as an attack on media freedom and the public's right to information.

“An attack on a journalist is not merely an attack on an individual. It is an attack on the public's right to know, the freedom of the media, and the democratic process itself,” the Guild said.

The journalists, Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro, were reportedly attacked by a group of armed youths as they covered tensions surrounding the political rally.

According to the Guild, the journalists were allegedly dragged along the road, beaten with clubs, and robbed of their press cards, driving licence, cameras, and other personal belongings.

The Guild said the journalists escaped further harm after a boda boda rider intervened and came to their rescue.

They cited Article 34 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom and independence of the media, and called for journalists to be allowed to carry out their work without intimidation, harassment, or violence.

The incident comes less than a year before the 2027 General Election, raising renewed concerns over the safety of journalists covering political activities.

The Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG) had earlier warned of a deteriorating media freedom environment as the country prepares for the elections and called for accountability for attacks against journalists.

The Editors Guild has called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to institute what it described as thorough, independent, and transparent investigations into the reported attack.

The Guild wants the investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify those responsible, and ensure that anyone found culpable is arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Additionally, it has also called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to exercise its oversight mandate and ensure that the investigation and any subsequent prosecution are handled with due diligence.

The Guild has further demanded the recovery and return of the journalists' stolen equipment and identification documents, as well as appropriate redress for the losses and injuries reportedly suffered.

It has also called on political leaders, candidates, and organizers of public rallies to take responsibility for ensuring the safety of journalists covering political events.

“Political mobilization must never become a licence for violence against the media,” read the statement in part.

The Kenya Editors Guild has said that it stands in solidarity with Ooko, Ongoro, and other journalists working to document events in the public interest, pledging to continue demanding accountability for attacks against members of the media.