Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) President Zubeidah Kananu.
By KPC Sports Reporter
The Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) has firmly denounced the physical assault of sports journalist Ruckiel Odikor at Nyayo National Stadium during the HSBC Rugby SVNS Series.
Odikor, a member of the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK), was targeted while performing her duties, an occurrence that has sparked significant apprehension regarding press freedom and journalist protection in Kenya.
“No violation of protocol, disagreement, or misunderstanding can legitimize the application of physical force against a journalist. Force is not crowd management. Aggression is not enforcement,” KEG President Zubeidah Kananu stated in a communication to KPC.
The Guild emphasized that liability for such acts lies entirely with event organizers and their hired security personnel.
Kananu, stressed: “An assault on a journalist represents an assault on the public’s entitlement to information.”
She further declared that the Guild will promptly intervene whenever intimidation, harassment, or violence endangers media professionals.
The Guild has requested an impartial investigation, public revelation of outcomes, and both disciplinary and legal measures against the culpable parties.
It additionally required explicit guarantees from organizers that protective measures will be established to prevent future incidents.
SJAK joined the condemnation, confirming that Odikor suffered injuries and equipment destruction.
“Media freedom is non-negotiable. Journalists must be provided with a secure professional atmosphere,” SJAK declared, advocating for improvements in event security arrangements.
In a report published by Kisii Press Club, SJAK characterized the event as “a disturbing indication of the diminishing opportunities for journalists in Kenya.”