The Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) has condemned the violent assault, robbery, and destruction of equipment belonging to journalists during the homecoming of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday, August 21.
In a statement issued on August 22, 2025, KEG said the attack targeted journalists from The Standard Group, TV47, and Citizen TV while they were covering the homecoming event of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
KEG has since called for urgent and decisive action from the National Police Service and Inspector General of Police (IG) Douglas Kanja.
In the statement, the Guild demanded:
- Immediate arrest and prosecution of all individuals involved in the attacks.
- Personal accountability from the Inspector General over the police’s failure to safeguard journalists.
- Concrete assurances from the state to guarantee that journalists can perform their duties free from violence, theft, or intimidation.
“Once again, members of the press were assaulted, equipment stolen, and vehicles vandalised — all while police officers stood by and watched. This was not an accident. The growing frequency, brazenness, and coordination of these attacks point to a systematic effort to intimidate and silence the media,” read part of the statement.
“We will not normalise violence against journalists. We will not allow Kenya to slide into a culture where press freedom is trampled, and impunity thrives.”
MCK Condemns Violence Against Journalists
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has also issued a statement condemning the assault and called on the police to initiate a comprehensive investigation and ensure all perpetrators are promptly brought to justice.
“The @MediaCouncilK strongly condemns the violent assault and robbery of journalists from @tv47news, @citizentvkenya, and @StandardGroupLc during the homecoming event of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Several journalists sustained injuries, with some requiring hospital treatment, while vital equipment was stolen. We urge the Inspector General of @NPSOfficial_KE to launch a thorough investigation and ensure that all perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice,” read the statement.
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Media Stations Issue Statements
Cape Media Ltd reported that on the afternoon of August 21, a group of unidentified assailants attacked and injured a TV47 crew at City Cabanas along Mombasa Road, where they had been covering the homecoming of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The attackers also stole essential equipment, including a camera and mobile phones. Cape Media Ltd confirmed that it was in touch with the affected team, who had already reported the incident to the relevant authorities.
“We are providing them with the necessary medical, emotional, and logistical support as they recover from this traumatic experience,” read the statement.
At the same time, Royal Media Services and Standard Group have also called for speedy investigations and the arrest of the goons.
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Journalists Who Were Attacked
Several journalists from multiple media houses were violently attacked.
Citizen TV’s Willy Ogunga suffered head injuries after being struck with stones.
TV47 reporters Jones Ng’ang’a, Eric Kioko, and Mike Kagwongo also sustained injuries during the incident.
Meanwhile, Standard Group had equipment stolen and vehicles vandalised in the chaos.
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