Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has apologized after a police officer attacked photojournalist Chris Omollo on Sunday at Dandora Stadium. Omollo was trying to access the field to cover the Premier League match between Gor Mahia and Mara Sugar when he was struck on the head.
The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) strongly condemned the incident, calling it police brutality. They warned that if journalists’ safety is not guaranteed, they will call for a countrywide boycott of all football activities.
Speaking through National Police Service (NPS) spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the IG said:
“This is regrettable, and as the NPS, we commit to acting within the law. Any officer who misbehaves must be corrected.”
Chris Omollo is currently admitted at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi. He lost consciousness after the attack and is undergoing treatment.
Toto Arege, a fellow journalist who witnessed the incident, said Omollo was attacked even though he had followed police instructions and shown his press ID. Journalists had been directed to use a separate gate away from fans without tickets. However, as Omollo entered, a police officer hit him at the back of his head. Omollo, who had undergone head surgery before, collapsed and needed urgent medical attention.
SJAK president James Waindi said:
“We strongly condemn this unprovoked attack. Sports journalists are important for the growth of sports in Kenya. Their safety must be guaranteed.”
Waindi urged the authorities to punish the officer involved. He also asked the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to step up and ensure the safety of journalists at all matches.
He warned that if no action is taken, SJAK will call for a total media blackout on all football activities in Kenya.
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