The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) has condemned the violent assault on two journalists covering a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) meeting in Cherangany, Trans Nzoia County, on Friday, March 20. President Zubeidah Kananu described the incident as a “brazen act of violence” threatening media freedom and public right to information.
Journalists Gilbert Sitati of Standard Group and George Njoroge of Mediamax were assaulted while covering a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) meeting in Cherangany, Trans Nzoia County, on Friday, March 20. The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) issued a statement on Saturday, March 21, condemning the attack as an infringement on media freedom and the public's right to information. The statement read: “The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) strongly condemns the violent attack on journalists Gilbert Sitati of Standard Group and George Njoroge of Mediamax, who were assaulted while covering a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) meeting in Cherangany, Trans Nzoia County.” Preliminary reports indicate the altercation stemmed from a story published in The Standard linking Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang to a controversial ambulance tender connected to Harambee House. A video circulating online shows the journalists confronted by several men, with one pleading: “Do not kill me. I am going to delete the footage. Why are you assaulting me?” KEG has urged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to conduct immediate, transparent investigations, identify and prosecute those responsible. It warned that failure to do so would lead to legal action, including private prosecution. The guild also called on political leaders and supporters to respect the media's role and ensure journalists' safety at public events.