A Kenyan journalist is recovering from injuries sustained during a brutal attack by known assailants in Homa Bay County, following his publication of an investigative story exposing corruption within the county government.
Habil Onyango, a journalist with The People Daily, was abducted and tortured after publishing an article on Friday detailing how a county employee was allegedly taking bribes and facilitating illegal employment through fraudulent documentation.
According to Onyango’s account, the attackers demanded he immediately publish an apology retracting claims about a woman mentioned in his corruption exposé.
“They ordered me to make an apology immediately, to write a story apologizing that the lady was not involved in such a case,” Onyango explained. “But I told them, such a story cannot run immediately.”
The journalist’s investigation had revealed that individuals were receiving fake appointment letters from the County Department’s Public Service Board and the County Secretary’s office, facilitating illegal hiring practices within the county government.
Following his release, Onyango sought medical treatment for injuries sustained during the ordeal.
The Union of Journalists in Homa Bay County has strongly condemned the attack and called for immediate action from authorities.
“We really want to appeal to the security agencies to ensure that these known goons are arrested, prosecuted, and also, let’s ensure that the lives of journalists in Homa Bay are really protected,” said a union representative.
“The Constitution of the Republic of Kenya is very clear on the responsibilities and the role of the media, and we will not be cowed.”
The union emphasized the severity of the incident, noting that Onyango was fortunate to survive the attack.
“It was just by good luck that Habil survived. It would have been a different case today,” the representative stated.
In a direct appeal to county leadership, the journalists’ union called on Governor Gladys Wanga to take decisive action against those responsible. The union specifically named Beatrice Akugo as someone known to them in connection with the attack.
“We want to ask Her Excellency the Governor to rein in this terror. One Beatrice Akugo is somebody known to us, and we want to demand that if we can hire goons to attack one Abele Onyango, then an action must be taken against her by Her Excellency the Governor,” the union representative demanded.
As investigations continue, the journalism community in Homa Bay County remains defiant, vowing to continue their watchdog role despite threats and intimidation tactics employed by those seeking to suppress exposure of corruption and malpractice in public service.
