Kisumu Journalists Condemns attacks on Colleagues during rally in Homa Bay

 

Kisumu Journalists Network{KJN} Chairman Rushdie Oudia address the press in Kisumu today following the attacks on Journalists covering a political Rally in Homa Bay-Photo and Story By Dickson Odhiambo

  August 17, 2026

Kisumu Journalists Condemns attacks on Colleagues during rally in Homa Bay

The Kisumu Journalism Fraternity have shown solidarity with their colleagues who were attacked while providing media coverage to a political rally in Homa Bay County yesterday.

Led by the Chairman of Kisumu Journalists Network Rushdie Oudia, the Kisumu Based Journalists has condemned in the strongest terms possible the barbaric and unacceptable attacks on their fellow who were covering the Linda Mwananchi rally.

Among those attacked while carrying out their professional duties include  Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro both of Agence France-Presse (AFP),  Standard Media Group in Kisumu,  Nation Media Group team-Kisumu,  Ken Odiwuor — KBC Mayienga,  Citizen TV crew and  K24 crew.

Oudia says what started as a routine assignment quickly turned dangerous when committed media practitioners were confronted by goons, forcing them to escape for safety.

Addressing the press in Kisumu, the Kisumu Journalists Network Chairman said the two AFP journalists, Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro, were assaulted by armed goons in Homa Bay town ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally, adding that their press cards, driving licenses and cameras were targeted during the assault, while Brian Ongoro lost his phone and camera.

“Ken Odiwuor of KBC Mayienga was attacked in Oyugis, while journalists from Standard Media Group, Nation Media Group and Citizen TV were also faced the same brutality in Homa Bay. MediaMax vehicle was razed down and the crew which had to seek refuge at a police station lost a camera and two live u equipment. Bramwel Bwire’s side of the window was literally being torn open using a panga. It took the brilliance of the driver Okul, to speed off to prevent a tragedy,”Part of the Press statement reads.

He says the Nework considers these attacks a grave assault not only on the media fraternity but also on the public's constitutional right to access information.

Oudia says the media plays a fundamental role in any democratic society, particularly during political and electoral periods. Journalists have a duty to cover political activities impartially, scrutinize those seeking public office, give citizens access to competing views and provide verified information upon which voters can make informed decisions.

 “They must be allowed to perform this role without intimidation, harassment or violence. Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees every citizen the right of access to information held by the State and information held by another person where that information is required for the exercise or protection of a fundamental right or freedom. This constitutional guarantee cannot be realized where journalists are attacked, threatened or prevented from doing their work,”he adds.

He says the Journalists are particularly alarmed by reports that political actors and their supporters mobilized and allegedly paid groups of youths to barricade roads, attack journalists and destroy vehicles and other property.

KJN is demanding that political leaders take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters and to desist from mobilizing young people to perpetrate violence against journalists, political opponents and other members of the public.

He says the scribes further demand that the National Police Service and other relevant investigative agencies to urgently expedite investigations identify and arrest those behind the attacks and ensure that they face the full force of the law. Investigations must not stop at those who carried out the physical attacks; those who organized, financed, facilitated or incited the violence must equally be held accountable.

The scribes further say the safety of journalists cannot be treated as an afterthought, adding that a journalist who is attacked while informing the public is an attack on the public itself.

“KJN stands firmly with all other journalists who were attacked or intimidated while covering the rally, and follow our cardinal rule; no story is worth your life. And to fellow colleagues, it is evident that we are already in a dangerous period where our safety will be challenged. As we strive to document the historic events and document the atrocities meted on the public, we should also be vigilant, have situational awareness and be safe and always remember our cardinal rule, no story is worth your life,” The statement concludes.