Police Seek To Arrest NGO Director Who Threatened Standard, TV47 Journalists

Police have launched a manhunt for the director of a non-governmental organization (NGO) accused of threatening two journalists attached to the Standard Group Limited and Cape Media Limited TV station, TV47.

The director is on the spot after media reports revealed that a foundation, the Pokot Heritage Foundation, was believed to be running a fraudulent scholarship scheme that has left hundreds of students in the cold financially, having paid for non-existent scholarships.

On Monday, January 20, the director reportedly threatened TV47 journalist Andrew Juma at a local hotel. “He insulted me, threatened my safety, and vowed to ensure I would never work in West Pokot County again," he revealed after he covered the exposé.

The case was reported to Makutano Police Station, where investigations are underway. Police also issued a warrant of arrest for the director, with Officer in Charge Carren Waliula instructing Chepareria Police Station officers to apprehend the individual.

Residents queueing for a registration drive. /PHOTO

The director was also accused of threatening a journalist from The Standard, claiming that “I have the power to make sure non-Pokot journalists don’t work here.”

The fraudulent scheme promised students fully-funded Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships at a fee of Ksh2,500, with victims from West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties also instructed to apply for Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds and other government aid, instead of receiving the promised support.

“This is a betrayal of the community’s trust,” stated West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi. “Such unethical practices must be stopped, and culprits brought to justice.”

Principals of affected TVET institutions distanced themselves from the foundation, with Shamberere TVET Principal Nyamu Elishah clarifying that the institution had no association with the Pokot Heritage Foundation. "If any student was conned, they should file an official complaint with my office for follow-up," Nyamu advised.

Education stakeholders called on the government to increase public awareness of legitimate scholarship opportunities. “Parents and students must remain cautious,” advised Rebecca Kide, West Pokot County Executive Member for Education, adding “While the foundation claimed to have signed MOUs with principals, and even set up an office in Chepareria for verification, their intentions were fraudulent.”

West Pokot County Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), George Mutonya, urged affected students to report their experiences to law enforcement agencies to help prevent similar scams in the future.

Incidences of threats and attacks on Kenyan journalists have been on the rise, a significant threat to press freedoms. Recently, the National Police Service (NPS) was flagged for an ugly incident where a journalist working with the Standard Group was assaulted by General Service Unit (GSU) officers. The officers had been sent to calm the protests that erupted on Sunday, January 19 in Molo, Nakuru County, over the murder of Richard Otieno, a renowned activist whose body was found lying in the mortuary.

Daniel Chege, a reporter operating from Nakuru County detailed that despite being on duty and following the established protocols while covering the events, the GSU officers still went ahead to inflict physical and mental injuries on him.

According to Chege, the officers attacked him and his team while he was recording an incident where one of the police officers had hit a member of the public with a stone, contrary to the provisions of law and order maintenance.

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) by the time of publishing this story was yet to respond to these incidences. In August 2024, the media regulator revealed that 24 journalists were attacked and injured by police during demonstrations by Gen Z.