Kenyan Journalist Attacked By 'Colleagues' Over Coverage Of MP's Event

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."