The Homa Bay County Government has interdicted one of its senior officers after a journalist reported being abducted, assaulted and intimidated in what press advocates are calling one of the most serious threats to media freedom in recent years.
On Monday, the county confirmed that Ms Beatrice Mercy Akugo, a Human Resources Officer in the Department of Roads, Transport and Public Works, had been suspended to allow for “a thorough, impartial, and unimpeded investigation”.
Officials said the move followed allegations that Ms Akugo was directly involved in the ordeal of journalist Habil Onyango, who was attacked in Homa Bay on 14 September.
According to a statement from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), Onyango had been lured to a hotel in the town, ambushed and forced into a car by a group of men allegedly led by the county officer.
He was beaten, made to inhale bhang, and had his devices confiscated, with sensitive data deleted. A fake apology was also posted online under his name in a bid to discredit him. Onyango managed to escape later that night by jumping onto a passing motorcycle.
MCK said Onyango’s reporting on a fraudulent jobs racket in the county may have provoked the attack. “This is not only an assault on an individual but a grave threat to press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the rule of law,” the council said, demanding swift arrests and prosecution.
Governor Gladys Wanga condemned the incident, declaring “zero tolerance” for violence against journalists and pledging full cooperation with police and investigators. “We strongly condemn all violence and intimidation against the press. We remain fully committed to accountability, the rule of law, and journalist safety,” she said.
Kenya’s constitution guarantees media freedom, but press watchdogs warn of increasing intimidation, particularly against journalists exposing corruption at county level.
