Kenyan Journalist Attacked By 'Colleagues' Over Coverage Of MP's Event
Narrating the incident, Odanga revealed that he was among 10 journalists invited to cover his event, among them his alleged attackers.
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Drama ensued on Sunday, January 21 after a journalist attached to Radio Africa Group (RAG)'s The Star newspaper was reportedly verbally and physically assaulted by his colleagues over a misunderstanding that ensued before the coverage of a news event involving an area Member of Parliament (MP).
Star Newspaper Siaya correspondent Josiah Odanga was attacked at Karariw Primary School where Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo was distributing bursaries to needy students.
Narrating the incident, Odanga revealed that he was among 10 journalists invited to cover his event, among them his alleged attackers.
He revealed their names as Radio Ramogi reporter George Amolo and freelance writer Goretty Juma while alleging that they were unhappy with him for turning up at the event which they wanted covered by a few select journalists.
Siaya County-based Radio Africa Group correspondent Josiah Odanga. /THE STAR
"I was conversing with a colleague when Amollo came, pointing at my eyes as if to pierce them with his fingers while verbally insulting me. I implored him to calm down and make his cause of anger known without being emotional, but he refused to listen to the voice of reason," Odanga told the media.
Furthermore, he described how the female journalist resorted to physically assaulting him amidst the verbal confrontation.
"She first wanted to hit me with a camera tripod but I disarmed her before she hit my head with the camera, causing a dent that led to profuse bleeding," he added.
Odanga allegedly suffered a blow to the head, leaving a gaping wound and the consequent oozing of a lot of blood. Additionally, his mobile phone and smartwatch were also damaged by the wayward journalists.
According to the scribe, the area MP had specified the number of journalists expected to cover his event, in his communication. However, the information was relayed through a WhatsApp group, meaning that the majority had wanted to attend despite the directive.
Odhiambo thus informed them that only 10 were needed, a communication that did not sit well with the majority.
Odanga further pointed an accusing finger at a section of journalists within the county who are fond of limiting their colleagues from covering news within the region, accusing the attackers of always discriminating against him in the field since he hails from South Nyanza.
"I had initially criticised them for wanting to limit journalists who are accredited by the Media Council of Kenya from covering news in any part of Siaya county, and even the country at large," Odanga continued.
"To them, it seems, Siaya County is theirs to work in and dominate. For instance, they call me Ja' South, meaning a person from South Nyanza."
"We were both invited to the function, but he went ahead to say that Goretty and I were the people who chose the 10. They went ahead to discuss issues that cannot be printed. That is why I called him to know what made him mention me in a group of which I am not even a member.
"However, some colleague pulled me backwards, and I left him only to witness fracas a few minutes later," said Amollo.
Goretty Juma was yet to respond to the alleged attack by the time of publishing this article. Nonetheless, Odanga reported the incident to the police, who advised him to seek treatment before being offered a P3 form.
He also asked the MCK to crack down on people who masquerade as journalists and professionals who unethically seek to monopolise news sources.
Condemning the incident, Radio Africa Group Head of Content Paul Ilado said "We call upon the police in Siaya county to swiftly investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. It is crucial that the rule of law be upheld and those responsible be held accountable for their actions,"
He also termed it deeply saddening to learn that Odanga was targeted by fellow journalists simply because he hails from a different county of Homa Bay while covering news in Siaya County.
Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) Secretary General Eric Owuor also condemned the attack and asked police to bring perpetrators to book.
"Journalism is not a crime. We demand that action be taken against the perpetrators and their masters," Oduor said.
The Media Council was also yet to comment on the matter. Whilst attacks on journalists by external threats have forced media bodies to demand remedial action, this is a rare case of journalists turning against each other with rumours of infighting in media houses in the wake of digital disruption.
