SJAK condemns assault of veteran photojournalist Chris Omollo by police
Notably, Omollo had previously undergone head surgery, making the incident even more alarming
The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has threatened to boycott coverage of Kenyan Premier League matches following the assault of veteran Daily Nation photojournalist Chris Omollo by security officers during the Gor Mahia FC versus Mara Sugar clash on Sunday at Dandora Stadium in Nairobi.
Omollo lost consciousness after being struck on the head by an officer despite having properly identified himself. He is currently hospitalized in Nairobi and receiving medical treatment. Witnesses confirmed that journalists had been instructed to use a separate entrance to avoid the congested main gate, yet Omollo was attacked as he made his way onto the field.
The assault left him unconscious and broke his spectacles. Notably, Omollo had previously undergone head surgery, making the incident even more alarming.
“It is with great regret that I must highlight that this is not the first time a journalist has faced such aggression while covering football in Kenya. This must not and will not be tolerated moving forward,” read part of the letter by the Secretary General, Moses Wakhisi, addressed to FKF President Hussein Mohamed.
SJAK condemned the attack, calling it “unprovoked and unacceptable,” and emphasized the critical role journalists play in promoting sports.
“We strongly condemn this brutal assault. The safety of sports journalists must be protected at all times. We demand swift disciplinary action against the officer involved,” read part of the statement
He warned that if the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Ministry of Interior fail to take immediate action to curb rising match-day violence, SJAK would mobilize all sports journalists nationwide to boycott KPL matches and impose a complete blackout on football coverage.
“It was shocking because we did not provoke them. We were waiting by the gate for the match’s stewards to give us access to the stadium when one police officer hit my colleague on the head,” said one of Omollo’s colleagues. The veteran journalist was helped by his colleagues who stepped in while accusing Police of blocking them in their duties.
Police have in the recent past had a very acrimonious relationship with the media in Kenya with journalists bearing the brunt.
