Azimio – One Kenya coalition secretary-general and Suna East legislator Junet Mohamed has been accused of plotting bruise assault and attack on Ian Byron, a journalist at National Media Group on Sunday, 10th July 2022 at Kakrao Shopping Centre in Migori County.
In the statement issued on Tuesday, 12th July 2022, the Media Council of Kenya urged the police to probe into the attack on the journalist. “The Media Council of Kenya calls on the police to investigate an attack against Ian Byron, a journalist working for the National Media Group, who was assaulted by unknown people on Sunday, 10th July 2022 at Kakrao Shopping Centre in Migori County” read part of the statement.
Ian Byron’s attack comes barely a week after he had reported incidences of harassment by some people over an article he had written about Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, distributing government relief food to Kakrao residents for political mileage.
However, the story was indefinitely pulled down by Nation Media Group under unclear circumstances, perhaps after the lawmaker raised complaints.
“The council is concerned that the attack comes a few days after the Journalist had reported harassment by the people following a story he had written relating to Sina East Member of Parliament and the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) minority Leader Honourable Junet Mohamed after the legislator complained about the story” added part of the statement.
“I suspect the attacker were sent by a local politician who has been unhappy with my work. However, I cannot say much because I have reported the matter to the police and I know the police will do their investigations” said Ian Byron after the attack.
He added that the unknown assailants fractured his leg and fled off on a motorcycle with no number plate.
The council also urged any political party aggrieved with the work of the Journalists to lodge the complaints to the Council in the spirit of courting the safety and security of the Journalists.
