Journalist latest victim of rising insecurity in Kisumu

Journalist Becomes Latest Victim of Rising Insecurity in Kisumu
A journalist based in Kisumu is recovering after a brutal attack by unknown assailants, the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the county’s worsening security situation. The reporter, who works for a local media outlet, was accosted on Monday evening while returning home, beaten, and robbed of personal belongings in the Nyalenda area.
According to police reports and accounts from colleagues, the journalist was approached by a group of men who demanded his phone and wallet before physically assaulting him. The motive remains unclear, though the incident has raised concerns about whether the attack was linked to his work or part of a broader wave of street crime. Police have opened an investigation, but no arrests have been made so far.
The attack has drawn condemnation from media associations and civil society groups, who are calling for better protection for journalists and urgent action to address the surge in violent crime. When a journalist is attacked, it is not just an individual that is harmed—it is the public’s right to information that is threatened, said a representative from the Kenya Union of Journalists, Luo Branch.
The incident comes just days after Kisumu County Commissioner Josephine Ouko raised the alarm over the resurgence of organized criminal gangs in the region. This attack on a member of the press underscores the pervasive nature of the insecurity, affecting not only ordinary residents but also those who document the unfolding situation. As pressure mounts on local authorities, the ability to ensure safety for all—including voices in the media—will be a critical test of governance in the region.