Journalists in Nakuru are living in fear after becoming targets to unknown gangs in the last three weeks
On Monday night, a gang broke into a veteran journalist Elijah Kinyanjui’s house and made away with his computer.
Kinyanjui claimed that the attack was different as they had targeted his computers.
“I feel that they wanted the information on my computers as it held a lot of documents regarding corruption. It also had key plans for communication strategies that I had planned for some of the people intending to vie in the next general elections,” said Kinyanjui.
Kinyanjui was speaking at Bondeni police Station on Tuesday when he went to report the matter.
He said that this was not the first time he has been threatened and intimidated.
“I have been receiving SMSes threatening me. Unknown people are following me. Of late I have been exposing the leaders on my Nakuru WhatsApp Page, Nakuru Analyst,” he said.
This is the third case that a journalist’s house has been broken into.
Three weeks ago, thieves broke into The Star journalist Joyce Kimani’s house and made away with a flat screen TV and gas cylinders.
Another journalist, who sought anonymity, said that a laptop and phone were stolen when thieves broke into his house.
Kenya Correspondents Association Chairman (KCA) William Oloo Janak has condemned the move.
Speaking at Legacy Hotel in Nakuru on Tuesday, Janak called on the police to investigate the issue.
“We need to protect our journalists especially at the county level. Currently we have 65 journalists under threat with many of the cases coming from politicians and businessmen,” he said.