Kipsigis Highland Tea factory in Konoin constituency, Bomet County is on the spot after security guards manning the entry into the facility assaulted journalists.
The Sunday incident left Taach FM's Weldon Kirui with injuries before his colleagues rescued him. Kirui together with other journalists from other media houses had asked to be let in to speak to the factory's management over claims that it was releasing raw effluent to two local rivers.
However, a senior official who was inside the factory directed the guards not to allow any journalist into the premises and further confiscate their cameras and recording devices.
It is at this point that Kirui was pounced on by the guards as he tried to plead with them to be allowed to into the factory. He was hit with a club on his left cheek.
“Confiscate their cameras and phones and bundle them inside the factory compound. We do not want them here…ensure they do not take pictures,” a person privy to the issue stated.
Residents of Chepchabas ward had earlier demonstrated against the facility over allegations that the factory was disposing its harmful waste products into local rivers which the residents use for domestic use.
The journalists had, therefore, visited the factory in an aim to seek a comment from the management and dig deeper into the matter.
Cases of journalists being assaulted and their gadgets confiscated have been on the rise in the country despite existing laws meant to regulate, protect and enhance on freedom of media.