Journalists covering the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election were attacked and their equipment seized in incidents that have sparked fresh concerns over the safety of media workers during elections, with the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) demanding immediate action against those responsible.
MCK condemned the attacks, saying the incidents went beyond individual violations and threatened the freedom of the press as well as the public’s right to receive accurate information.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the council called on police to stop attacks against journalists and ensure those involved are investigated and held accountable.
"The Media Council of Kenya strongly condemns the assault on journalists and confiscation of media equipment by armed people during the Ol Kalou constituency by-election," MCK said.
"These continued attacks and impunity against journalists must come to an end, and the perpetrators must be held legally accountable."
The media regulator said the incidents were meant to intimidate journalists who were carrying out their professional duties and create fear among media workers covering electoral activities.
"The Council views these continued attacks as more than isolated press freedom violations, but deliberately orchestrated security actions aimed at intimidating media workers into censorship and fear, thereby denying the public their right to accountable and peaceful electoral participation," the statement said.
MCK said several accredited journalists were assaulted and their working equipment taken away while reporting on the by-election.
Star photojournalist Enos Teche was among those affected after he was attacked while covering a confrontation involving residents and occupants of three vehicles outside Ol Kalou Comprehensive School.
According to MCK, armed and masked individuals appeared during the incident, fired shots into the air and used teargas canisters before confronting Teche. The journalist was allegedly forced to surrender his camera, assaulted and had the equipment taken from him.
The council said Teche suffered injuries to his hand and later reported the matter to detectives at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations office in Ol Kalou.
MCK also raised concerns over an incident involving Nation Media Group journalist Brygettes Ngana and her cameraperson, who were assaulted and had their camera confiscated by individuals suspected to be plainclothes police officers.
The council noted that the identities of those involved had not been established and called for investigations to determine who was responsible.
MCK urged the relevant police command to trace the suspects, facilitate the return of all confiscated media equipment and cooperate fully with investigations into the attacks.
The council further asked Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to take immediate steps to ensure accountability for the incidents.
"The Council remains firmly committed to the protection of journalists and the defence of press freedom," it said.
MCK said it would engage investigators at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Ol Kalou, the Inspector General of Police and, if necessary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to pursue justice for the affected journalists.
The council warned that failure to address such attacks could encourage similar incidents in future, especially as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.