The mysterious death of a journalist, Joseph Masha, in Kilifi County on Saturday morning has reignited debate on the safety of journalists.
Masha, who worked for The Standard, allegedly had dinner with a local politician they had differences with. The dinner was meant to help the two mend fences following their not-so-rosy relationship.
His death comes three years after a journalist who worked with The Star died in mysterious circumstances in April 2013. Wesonga Benard had written about expired fertiliser worth tens of millions. In Kenya, such would find its way into the market somehow. Kebs had reportedly netted the contraband fertiliser at a godown in Changamwe.
On April 16, 2013, the State was to file an intention to open a public inquest into the death of Wesonga at the Mombasa court. If this happened, nothing has come of it.
The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) now wants police to investigate Masha's case.
According to the Nation, family members said that the politician in question had complained of a story in The Standard on August 31 where Masha analysed Kilifi politics.
Allegedly, the politician complained that the story could cost him votes.
KUJ secretary-general Erick Oduor said they are demanding a post-mortem to reveal the cause of Masha’s death. Masha died on Saturday morning after collapsing in his house.
The family said that it was planning for a post-mortem to determine his cause of death.