Nairobi News

NewsWhat's Hot

‘K24’ journalist beaten, camera broken in ODM rally


A K24 cameraman was seriously injured and his recording equipment destroyed after he was attacked by ODM youths in Budalang’i.

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) condemned the attack on Moses Masinde, who freelances for the station from Bungoma.

“The Kenya Union of Journalists is concerned with escalating cases of violence against journalists in the run-up to next general election. We condemn attack on K24 journalist at the Orange Democratic Movement rally in Budalang’i constituency,” said KUJ secretary general Erick Oduor.

“We call upon police to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book within shortest time possible. As a union, we will use our network to track down the youth who committed this offence to ensure they are held to account for their actions.”

Political Journalists Association of Kenya Secretary General Jerry Rawlings also waded into the matter and urged police to conduct thorough investigation.

ROWDY YOUTHS

“We urge the public to understand that journalists are merely the messengers in the long process of news making and that they should be protected and treated with utmost tolerance as they go about their duties to keep the public informed,” said Mr Rawlings.

“This action is barbaric, uncouth and uncalled for. We urge politicians to be careful not to set their supporters against journalists especially now that the country is gearing up for election campaigns.”

Already police are handling the matter.

At the same time, police have dispersed rowdy youths who attempted to disrupt a rally addressed by Cord leader Raila Odinga in Budalang’i on Wednesday.

The youths who are said to be supporters of Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba clashed with ODM youths in Port Victoria where Mr Odinga was in a meeting with party delegates.

Residents closed the roads in Rwambua demanding to be addressed by Mr Odinga on his third day of his tour of western Kenya.

 

More to follow…