Don’t Attack Journalists. They Are Messengers, Not Politicians

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 24- The Crime Journalists Association of Kenya condemns the attack and violence meted on two journalists while covering an event at the Orange Democratic Movement party headquarters in Lavington on March 24, 2022.

We are calling on ODM to avail the goons who attacked journalists Moses Nyamori and Luke Awich to the National Police Service, for prompt action against them.

We are also calling on the National Police Service to initiate a manhunt of the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.

Inaction regarding previous incidents have emboldened such criminals and threatened the safety of journalists across the country.

The ODM party must also assure journalists of their safety and security as they safeguard their premises against unauthorized personnel who are hell-bent on violence.

Such attacks are meant to cause fear among journalists whose sole responsibility is covering and reporting events as they unfold particularly during this electioneering period.

This year alone, six (6) journalists have been attacked across the country, for simply doing their job despite widespread condemnation from stakeholders.

We demand action against all perpetrators of violence against journalists.

A story should not warrant such an attack and should never happen right in the precincts of one of the leading political parties in the country.

Between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 journalists have been killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public across the world.

In 9 out of 10 cases the killers have gone unpunished.

Impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems.

Journalists in Kenya have been on the receiving end and if this trend is not reversed, the space for freedom of expression will continue to shrink.

The statement was released by CJAK Secretary-General Joseph Muraya.