(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the leader of KANU (Kenya African National Union, the ruling party), Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, RSF protested the assault on Jackson Orina, a photographer with the Nation media group. RSF asked President arap Moi to keep his supporters in check so that journalists could work freely. “In this country, […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to the leader of KANU (Kenya African National Union, the ruling party), Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, RSF protested the assault on Jackson Orina, a photographer with the Nation media group. RSF asked President arap Moi to keep his supporters in check so that journalists could work freely. “In this country, the media work in a highly repressive legal framework and also have to cope with attacks by political activists,” stated RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. “Kenya ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression,” added Ménard.
According to information gathered by RSF, on 28 June 2001 Orina was beaten up by youth supporters of the ruling party at a meeting held by politician Elijah Mwangale, in Kitale (western Kenya). At the end of the meeting, the politician gave money to supporters to divide amongst themselves; a scramble for the cash ensued. As the photographer took pictures at the scene, he was attacked and beat up. His attackers wrecked his camera, valued at 100,000 Kenyan shillings (approx. US$1,274; 1,502 euros), and his film. The journalist, who was bleeding profusely, was taken to Kitale hospital.
RSF notes that since the beginning of the year, five journalists have been assaulted while doing their jobs.
