Homa bay: Two journalists from Standard Media Group were attacked and injured by armed goons while covering the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday, renewing concerns over journalists’ safety on the line of duty, especially during volatile political events. At the same time, about six vehicles were torched, shops were looted, and property was destroyed. Reports indicated that during the rally, one woman died after being hit and run over by a speeding vehicle, and a police officer was injured after being struck on the head by a stone.
According to Kenya News Agency, the journalists, Rogers Otiso and photographer Samuel Omingo, were covering the procession as the Linda Mwananchi group headed towards Homa Bay town for a mega rally. The journalists were travelling in their vehicle among the convoy when they encountered youths who had barricaded the road at the Kaduogo area.
Otiso explained that they alighted from the vehicle to document the unfolding events since filming from inside the moving vehicle was difficult. At the time, police officers were firing teargas canisters towards youths ahead of the convoy. Another group of youths armed with machetes and other crude weapons approached and confronted them, demanding to know their purpose at the scene.
In the confusion, the driver sped away with other vehicles, leaving the two journalists exposed. Otiso recounted being pushed down with a log, nearly being run over by an oncoming vehicle. He sustained injuries to both hands and his right leg. Bleeding and disoriented, Otiso and Omingo sought refuge in a nearby homestead, initially being denied entry before another household allowed them inside. They remained hidden for about two hours while their attackers searched for them outside.
The journalists were eventually rescued after an ambulance arrived at a nearby homestead to pick up another injured person and were taken to Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital. However, they encountered some of the same armed men inside the hospital compound. One of the men allegedly threatened them, suggesting further harm.
The two journalists hid in the hospital until after 11.00pm before leaving. Otiso expressed the attack’s impact on his physical and mental wellbeing, emphasizing the need for better protection for journalists. He urged the Media Council of Kenya and other authorities to condemn such attacks and improve journalists’ safety.
Omingo, who escaped the initial attack by jumping over a flower fence, expressed shock at encountering the attackers again at the hospital, questioning the safety of public facilities. He noted the lack of visible security and the presence of goons moving around the facility.
Hospital reports indicated that about 46 people were injured during Sunday’s incidents in Homa Bay, with more than 70 per cent suffering cut wounds. One person was reportedly in critical condition, and another had sustained four gunshot wounds.
