This archive report was first published on 3 January 2020.
On January 3, 2020, a disturbing incident occurred in Lodwar, Turkana County, where a journalist working for The Star newspaper was attacked by security guards at Stegra Hotel.
The journalist, Hesbon Etyang, was recording an incident where a minor allegedly almost drowned at the hotel swimming pool when the security guards descended on him and beat him up.
"The security guards attacked me and beat me up injuring my arms," Etyang said.
This is not the first time that journalists in Turkana County have been attacked in the line of duty.
According to the Media Council of Kenya, three cases of such attacks were reported in the previous year, prompting a meeting between journalists and opinion leaders in the county.
Victor Bwire, programme manager at the Media Council of Kenya, condemned the incident, stating, "This is unacceptable. We take great exception to the harassment of Etyang."
Local journalists held a meeting to discuss the way forward in the wake of continued attacks on the media.
Emmanuel Cheboit, chairman of the county media association, vowed that the journalists would not sit back and watch any of their own being harassed.
"We are going to follow up with the relevant authorities to ensure anyone who threatens or attacks any journalist is dealt with in accordance with the law," Cheboit said.
Eric Oduor, secretary general of the Kenya Union of Journalists, also condemned the incident and vowed action.
"It is regrettable that hotel employees in Turkana County unleashed terror on a journalist who was on duty to cover questionable activities in the hotel. This is an incident that will be pursued, and the culprits must face the full force of the law," Oduor said.
