Cases of journalists being attacked while on duty are on the rise and it is alarming. On the night of April 9, while covering a police-mounted blockade at Kirobon Girls High School preventing playwright Cleophas Malala from accessing students from Butere Girls High School to rehearse the controversy riddled Echoes of War play prior to their performance at the National Drama Festivals in Nakuru, six journalists from Nation Media Group, Standard Group Limited and Royal Media Services were attacked by police officers who lobbed tear gas on them while some were live on television. A teargas canister struck Citizen TV reporter Maryanne Nyambura on the leg. Standard Group photographer Joseph Kipsang had his camera vandalised.
Despite the extreme force by the police to deter the journalists from covering what ensued, no action has been taken against the officers who assaulted the six journalists. On April 26, Nation Media Group’s Sports photographer Chris Omollo was attacked by police while covering a football match at Dandora stadium. Chris was struck on the head, he lost consciousness and is currently recuperating at home after being admitted to hospital. Again in this instance, no action has been taken by the National Police Service with regard to the police officer who attacked Chris days after the event.
