Four journalists and a medical officer were attacked by the management of a private hospital in Homa Bay County while they were on duty.
According to Sub-County Medical Officer Ben Otieno, the hospital had been shut down by the Homa Bay County Government for failing to meet the required standards to operate as a health facility.
Ben recounted that he was attacked while performing his duties, and the journalists, who were reporting on the matter, were not spared either.
He revealed that the hospital had been operating with a license belonging to a different facility, which did not meet the necessary requirements for the facility in question.
“This facility had numerous issues that were pending, with the major concern being the license. The licenses were supposed to be for a different facility, and they are using licenses meant for another facility that does not meet the required standards," Ben explained.
He further stated that this situation amounted to forgery, and after noticing this with the help of the sub-county management team, they went to the hospital and ordered it to be closed.
“The closure process was done in a humane manner, ensuring that all patients were transferred to other hospitals before the facility was shut down," he said.
Ben described how the situation escalated when they returned in the evening to pin closure notices on the walls.
"The authorities are now handling the case, and further action is expected against those involved in the assault," Ben confirmed.
He added, “We did it very humanely. We ensured that all patients were transferred to other healthcare facilities. In the evening, when we were serving the closure notices and pinning them on the walls, this fracas occurred.”
Ben continued, “I was lucky to escape without injury, but the matter is now in court, and I believe the law will follow due process.”
Journalists being harassed while on duty has been a persistent issue. During the nationwide protests against proposed tax hikes in June of last year, several journalists were also assaulted by police in Nairobi.
In October 2024, police officers were on the spot after attacking media personnel who were covering reactions in Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's home constituency of Mathira, where residents staged demonstrations to protest the impeachment of the second in command.
