Six journalists from Standard Media Group, Nation Media Group and Royal Media Services have been injured and had their valuables stolen after an altercation with goons at the Raila Odinga stadium in Homa Bay County.
The journalists, who were covering the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations, were reportedly targeted by the goons and a section of police officers targeting media personnel.
According to The Standard, the journalists who were injured were TV producers Steve Okedi and Marble Achieng from KTN and NTV, respectively, as well as Journalist Ephantus Maina from Royal Media Services and NTV's George Odiwuor.
Odiwuor was among the journalists who suffered the brunt of the attack as the goons took the opportunity to steal his work laptop.
“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,” Achieng stated.
Kisumu Journalists Network Interim Chairman Rushdie Oudia condemned the attack on journalists and described it as an affront to press freedom.
Another journalist reportedly had his phone stolen from him, as have many other attendees of the event who thronged the stadium as early as 9.30pm on Saturday night.
“As journalists, we take this incident with great concern and shock, especially with the utter irresponsibility and the daring face of police officers who should be protecting lives and property,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced the arrest of suspects involved in mobile phone theft at the stadium, revealing that 20 stolen phones were recovered.
The 12,000-seat stadium is reported to have filled to capacity before the sun rose on Sunday morning ahead of the Madaraka Day celebrations.
Thousands of people who had been ferried from across the country and Homa Bay residents took to the stadium, rushing onto the stadium on Saturday night, just a few minutes after the gates opened.
Images and videos shared online showed thousands of Kenyans making themselves comfortable on the bleachers in anticipation of the 62nd Madaraka Day to be led by President William Ruto.
