Thursday, March 24, 2022 –Following the outrage of increased violence against journalists covering Azimio la Umoja political events, Raila Odinga has issued a statement over the matter.
Through his Campaign Spokesperson, Prof Makau Mutua, Mr. Odinga on Thursday March 24, expressed regret over the incidents, terming them as unfortunate and unsupported by his leadership.
“ODM and the Azimio La Umoja campaign have zero tolerance for any forms of intimidation and violence against anyone including journalists,” read the statement in part.
In the long statement of Wednesday March 23, Prof Mutua stated that those attacking journalists will be exposed and tamed immediately since ODM Party does not believe in violence to thrive.
“These rights are core to democracy and are non-negotiable, we are reviewing the reports of the attacks and will respond to them as appropriate. There is no place for such conduct by anyone in our society,” he said in his statement.
This response follows shortly after the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) demanded an immediate arrest of the goons behind the alleged series of assaults on members of the fourth estate.
“The MCK wants the police to immediately arrest the suspects who are known to have spearheaded the attack on journalists covering a public rally at Orange House earlier today,” Omwoyo stated on behalf of of the media organization.
A journalist who has been a victim of this brutality mentioned that some goons attacked them on account that they had reported on the direct ticket malpractice in ODM Party.
Attacks on the Press. pic.twitter.com/19UU24rVd9
— Prof Makau Mutua (@makaumutua) March 24, 2022