Media Council condemns attack on 5 journalists during Madaraka Day fete
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has condemned an attack on five journalists from various stations during a fracas at the entrance of the Raila Odinga stadium on June 1, 2025.
In a statement, MCK CEO David Omwoyo described the assault on the journalists as an affront to press freedom, noting that the journalists lost equipment and personal belongings during the chaos.
“On June 1, 2025, Kenya commemorates Madaraka Day. The national celebration took place at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County. Regrettably, many media professionals covering the event faced significant challenges, including physical injuries and mental distress,” Omwoyo said.
Journalists roughed up
“At Raila Odinga Stadium, Royal Media Services (RMS) journalist Ephantus Maina, Nation Media Group (NMG) producer Mable Achieng’, TV47 camera operator Francis Kakai, and journalist Elizabeth Mutuku were reportedly assaulted by security officers at the entrance, despite displaying valid media identification badges.”
Omwoyo noted that while the journalists were injured during their access to the stadium, authorities equally denied them a safe exit after the ceremony was concluded.
“Some journalists required medical attention from Red Cross staff for various injuries. Additionally, several journalists lost equipment and personal items, such as phones and laptops, to opportunists during the event. Media personnel were forced to plead for entry to the stadium and were not guaranteed a safe exit after the event concluded,” Omwoyo stated.
Denial of access
The council equally decried the denial of access to certain media houses to the State House, observing that it amounts to economic sabotage and undermines the freedom of access to information.
“On 31 May 2025 at State House, KTN journalists Rashid Iddi and Okumu Madocha were barred from covering a Kenya-Slovenia media briefing, where President William Ruto and visiting Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar held a joint press event. Their names were absent from the accredited reporters’ list, and attempts to contact the Director of Media Relations at State House went unanswered,” Omwoyo said.
“These incidents highlight a concerning trend of deliberate targeting of media professionals, undermining their vital role. Such actions violate Article 34 of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees press freedom,” he said.
MCK indicated that state events must be accessible to all registered media organisations and that it was unacceptable for journalists to beg for access to cover state events.
“Such gatekeeping and intimidation not only instil fear but also constitute economic sabotage in an era of competitive media content creation. Furthermore, these actions restrict the diversity of opinions and perspectives on critical issues,” Omwoyo said.
“The MCK strongly condemns this behaviour and urges those responsible to adopt reconciliatory measures. Above all, event organisers must prioritise and guarantee journalists’ safety.”
