Nation Media Group(NMG) correspondent George Oduor was beaten up and injured on Sunday, March 12, by a group of rowdy youths who stormed a press conference by Luo elders in Homa Bay.
The goons attacked Oduor and eight other journalists drawn from different media houses in the county.
The journalists were covering an event where the Luo Council of elders was to address the state of politics in the region.
Homa Bay County Union of journalists chairperson James Omoro asked the government to improve the safety of journalists in the area.
“We are defying the constitutional rights of journalists when we attack them. Homabay County youths should respect journalists and refrain from such acts.
“I would also want to ask the authorities to ensure that those youths are apprehended,” Omoro stated.
The journalist recorded statements at the Homa Bay police station and the matter is under investigation.
During the press conference, the elders asked youths in the area to refrain from political rallies and protests adding that it would only lead to the death of young people in the country.
“The protest will only cause losses for small businesses. No benefit will come from it. Kenya has over 50 tribes and if we work together, we will lead in promoting peace in the country,” an elder stated.
The council further called for dialogue between the opposition leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto stating that it was the only way to ensure economic growth and peace in the country.
“The dialogue between the opposition and the past leadership has led to peace in the country ensuring a lot of development.
“We have had several meetings to create peace. Without dialogue, there will be a lot of chaos which will disrupt the economy of Kenya. Our children need employment and we will not get any of that when we are divided,” another Luo elder added.
In a separate incident in May 2022, two journalists from The Standard and The Star were allegedly attacked at the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) headquarters in Nairobi.
The journalists claimed they were approached and attacked by the goons who accused them of working for media houses that published negative stories about the party and tainting its image.
However, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) demanded for the immediate arrest of the attackers, with ODM leader Raila Odinga condemning violence against journalists.
"These rights are core to democracy and are non-negotiable, we are reviewing the reports of the attacks and will respond to them as appropriate. There is no place for such conduct by anyone in our society," the statement issued by Raila read in part.
