Kenya Editors Guild Condemns Assault of Journalists Covering Homa Bay Rally

The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) has strongly condemned the alleged assault of two Kisumu-based Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalists while they were covering the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay Town.

In a statement issued on Sunday, August 16, 2026, the Guild described the incident as a serious attack on media freedom and the public’s right to access information. It warned that violence against journalists undermines the democratic process and creates an environment in which the media cannot freely carry out its constitutional role.

The journalists, identified as Fred Ooko and Brian Ongoro, were reportedly attacked while covering heightened political tensions surrounding the Linda Mwananchi activities in Homa Bay. According to the Guild, the two journalists were confronted by a group of armed youths who allegedly dragged them along the road and assaulted them with clubs.

The attackers are also reported to have taken several items belonging to the journalists, including their cameras, press cards, driving licences and other personal belongings. The journalists reportedly escaped further harm after a boda boda rider intervened and came to their rescue.

The Kenya Editors Guild said the incident was particularly disturbing because the journalists were carrying out a legitimate public duty by documenting events and providing information to the public.

The Guild warned that attacks of this nature, if allowed to go unpunished, could create a culture of impunity in which perpetrators become increasingly emboldened to target journalists. It further linked the safety of journalists to the credibility of Kenya’s democratic processes, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.

The Guild called for thorough investigations into the incident and accountability for those found responsible. It also reaffirmed its commitment to defending media freedom and protecting journalists who face threats or violence while performing their professional duties.

The assault occurred amid heightened political tensions in Homa Bay, where the Linda Mwananchi movement held political activities that were met with disruptions and confrontations. The incidents have raised broader concerns about political intolerance and the safety of participants, journalists and members of the public during political gatherings.

The Kenya Editors Guild maintained that journalists should be allowed to work without intimidation, harassment or violence regardless of the political affiliations of the groups they are covering. It stressed that an attack on a journalist goes beyond the individual victim because it also affects the public’s ability to receive timely and independent information.

The incident has therefore renewed calls for security agencies to ensure the protection of journalists during political rallies and other public events. With political mobilisation expected to intensify as the 2027 elections approach, media stakeholders are warning that attacks on journalists could have serious implications for press freedom and the public’s right to information.

The Kenya Editors Guild has expressed solidarity with Ooko, Ongoro and other journalists working in difficult and potentially dangerous environments. The Guild said it would continue demanding accountability for attacks against media workers and resisting attempts to intimidate journalists into silence.