Police have launched a manhunt for armed gangsters who attacked Linus Ombima, a programs manager and senior presenter at a local radio station.
According to his colleagues, the journalist was attacked in the wee hours of Thursday night, May 21 as he was going home from his work station at Rameny Radio in Rongo Town, Migori County.
He was rushed to Homa Bay Referral Hospital after receiving first aid at a local medical centre.
A friend, Paul Odhiambo, alongside evangelist Perez Owade, accompanied the journalist to hospital.
"It is very painful when a presenter like this who teaches people about how to live together can be attacked on his way to work and slashed badly.
"In fact, Rongo Town has many thieves even where Kamagambo Police Station is. I wish you quick recovery Linus Ombima 'Jakochomo'," condemned one of his fans.
A former colleague, Phanuel MC'odero, questioned the motive of his attackers since a similar attack was meted on another woman two weeks prior.
“They killed a teacher a few weeks ago and now they have seriously injured a fellow journalist, former colleague and the programme manager Rameny Radio in Rongo. Are these people really robbers? Quick recovery Linus Ombima,” he stated.
The injured scribe has been working in the communications industry for 10 years since his days at RadioShara which is based in Kisumu County.
He left media for a short stint to work as a communications officer for a travel and tour company.
According to data from the Media Council of Kenya, more than 36 journalists have been attacked in the line of duty over the last 4 months.
On May 4, Pamoja FM presenter Mohamed Hassan Marijan was lynched by a mob on his way home from work.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Pamoja FM managing director, Adam Hussein, confirmed that Mohamed Hassan Marijan, a presenter at the station, was killed at around 4 a.m. on the morning of Monday, May 4.
He further added that the deceased was from hosting his nightly show that centred around Islamic teachings and was murdered outside his door.
