Journalists accuse Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga of roughing them up

Siaya, Kenya: Three journalists working in Nyanza have reported receiving intimidating threats from top county officials.

Two of the three reporters have accused Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga of roughing them up and inflicting injuries on them.

They are said to have been among six journalists called by the governor for an evening news briefing that reportedly ended badly.

"As soon as we entered, Governor Rasanga engaged us in a fierce quarrel, accusing Javan Onyango of Radio Mayienga of reporting a story where Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo had accused the county government of engaging in a mega financial scandal last Saturday," Eric Oloo, a reporter with The Star newspaper said.

He added: "The governor then went to a private room and left journalists in the sitting room. When he returned, he started shouting my name and asking how well I knew him. He roughed me up, tore my clothes and injured me before ordering me out of his home."

NEGATIVE REPORTS

According to Mr Oloo, the governor threatened them with unspecified consequences if they continued with their negative reporting about him.

The incident has since been reported at the Siaya Police Station after the journalists received treatment at Siaya District Hospital.

However, County Communications Director, Bonny Odinga, has dismissed the allegations, saying the two had gone to the governor's residence to extort money from him.

"They came to the governor's residence at night pretending they had information they wanted to share but started demanding money. They were thrown out but nobody was beaten; these allegations are nothing but lies. They have been demanding money for 'facilitation' whenever they cover an event. This is unacceptable," Mr Odinga said.

Separately, The Standard's journalist Protus Onyango said yesterday he has received death threats over stories published at the weekend regarding Migori Governor Okoth Obado's visit to State House where he went to apologise to President Uhuru Kenyatta accompanied by more than 600 residents.

Mr Onyango told Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) officials somebody identifying himself as Dennis Orero had sent him a threatening message.

UNACCEPTABLE TREND

"We will teach you a lesson and we will deal with you. We will seek justice, your hostile reporting on Migori issues can clearly be seen," reads part of the text message.

KUJ national chairman Oscar Obonyo confirmed receiving the reports.

"It is disturbing that a governor would decide to unleash terror on journalists. The said press briefing must have been a trap to get to the reporters and attack them," he said.

Obonyo said KUJ had consulted lawyers with the intention of pressing charges against the accused governor.

He said the actions of both the governor and the alleged Mr Orero were meant to intimidate reporters and stop them from doing their work.

Efforts to reach Governor Rasanga for comment were futile as his phone went unanswered.