Osinde Obare, a correspondent working with the Standard Media Group claimed to have received threats on Thursday following his coverage of the chaos witnessed at a burial ceremony in Trans-Nzoia County last week.
During the burial in question held on March 22, chaos erupted, after supporters of a senior Kenya Kwanza politician clashed with those of a Governor from the Western region.
According to the Standard journalist, his coverage of proceedings on that particular day has rubbed senior politicians the wrong way, adding that he has since received threats to his life.
The journalist further lamented that the area police were yet to make arrests following his report. The people allegedly threatening him are well-known in the particular area.
“On Monday I heard movements outside my house, and people knocking roughly,” he narrated.
“I told my wife to stay quiet as the people knocking were not talking. We waited until they left.”
The journalist has since gone into hiding and is now calling on the police to rein in the persons issuing threats to him.
Human interest groups from Trans Nzoia County have called on the area police force to investigate the claims and help the journalist be able to return home and carry on with his work.
“We want the government to give him protection, and upkeep money to sustain him wherever he is hiding,” activist Boniface Kiranga stated.
“His family does not know where he is, and he is their sole provider.”
Obare, who has worked with the standard media company for a while, was again in February assaulted while covering news along Kitale-Kapenguria road.
According to the journalist, he was recording EACC officials who were arresting a police officer for allegedly soliciting bribes along that road.
