Eldoret journalists mark World Press Freedom Day with calls for arrest of colleague’s killers

Journalists in Eldoret marked the World Press Freedom Day with calls for the arrest of unknown people who killed their colleague in cold blood in 2015.

The journalists gathered at Sirikwa Hotel in Eldoret Town on Tuesday where they lit candles in memory of John Kituyi, the owner and editor of The Weekly Mirror newspaper who was killed on April 30, 2015.

Mr Kituyi was walking home from work at 7.30pm on the fateful day when the assailants on a motorcycle approached him and repeatedly hit him on the head with a blunt object and took his phone.

They did not take his money or his watch.

No conclusive investigations have been done to bring his killers to book.

“We are no longer free to discharge our duties for fear of brushing shoulders with some people who feel their misdeeds have been exposed.

"These days you are uncertain if you will reach home safe,” said Jessica Nyaboke of The Star newspaper.

NO JUSTICE YET

Mr Kituyi’s family has expressed concern over the delay in bringing the perpetrators of the heinous act to book a year down the line.

“Since the killing of our father, the case has been dragging in court and only coming up for mention.

“Our father was the bread winner and my siblings are constantly being chased away from school due to lack of fees,” said Sarah Kituyi, a daughter of the deceased.

Mr Kituyi’s murder sparked fear among journalists in the region who have constantly received death threats in the line of duty due to sensitive stories they have written.

Barely a month after the death of Mr Kituyi, another journalist, Michael Olinga of the Standard was kidnapped by unknown people and driven to Molo Town.

He was told later dumped and warned against writing stories about insecurity and land matters in Uasin Gishu County.

“It was around 1am and I was coming from watching a football match in a club when some people in a saloon car called my name.

“I don’t remember what happened next as I lost consciousness after they forced me to drink a concoction,” Mr Olinga told the Nation.

The thugs stole Sh4,000 from the journalist and another Sh7,000 from his bank account using his ATM card.

Nobody has yet been arrested following the abduction.

Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Abdi Hassan assured journalists operating in the area not to feel intimidated but continue doing their work without any fear.

SECURITY FOR JOURNALISTS

“We call on the members of the press to be cautious of their safety and report any threats to police. They should also ask for security when covering hostile environments,” said Mr Hassan.

Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) Chairman William Oloo Janak blamed the government for failing to provide security for the journalists.

Mr Janak said that there have been increased cases of unjustified arrests, assault and murder of journalists especially with the devolved system of governance.

“It is unfortunate that you are attacked by State officials who are meant to protect you.

“In Eldoret, most of the journalists are terrified, not knowing what will befall them next,” said Mr Janak.

According to a recent report by Article 19 titled “Silenced and Intimidated”, 65 journalists faced different forms of violation in 2015, with 58 of them being male

Among the issues which the journalists were investigating at the time of the violations included corruption, land, ICC cases, protests, security and education.

Among the major perpetrators included police, state officers, politicians, football stewards, mobs and unknown individuals.

The UN General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness on the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It also marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991.