This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
Threats to Journalist John Wanyama's Life Prompt Police Statement ¶
John Wanyama, a journalist working for Royal Media Service's Citizen TV, has recorded a statement with the police after receiving threats to his life. The threats came after Wanyama covered demonstrations by a section of Kesses residents who were decrying poor states of roads in the constituency.
According to Wanyama, he received the threats after a friend leaked to him some WhatsApp chats from members of the Kesses CDF forum. The schemers unanimously agreed to harm the reporter should he set foot in any part of Kesses constituency to report on anything.
Wanyama has been receiving threats and intimidation for quite some time. The latest threats came barely months after the journalist was harassed by police officers for covering live demonstrations in Langas area in Eldoret.
During his early years in the field, Wanyama was threatened by local community bandits for attempting to expose their heinous deals. He sought redeployment for several months before he was redeployed to Eldoret.
Other than receiving threats to his life, Wanyama's house has been broken into twice, the latest incident being December 31, 2019 night.
Wanyama told TUKO.co.ke on Friday, June 25, that he decided to report the threats because this is not the first time he is being threatened by some people who feel offended with his work as a journalist.
"I decided to report the threats because this is not the first time I am being threatened by some people who feel offended with my work as a journalist," he said.
