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A family of a journalist killed 15 years ago wants the government to re-start the case for the family to get justice.

Josephine Kwamboka, whose husband, Francis Nyaruri (pictured) was killed and his body found at Kodera forest in  Homa Bay county said suspects were arraigned and freed due to lack of evidence.

Speaking at Rangenyo DOK Primary School in Nyamira County during the World Press Freedom Day celebrations, she said the case was determined at Kisumu High Court. “My husband was killed in 2009 and the case was determined in 2011 in my absence. I learnt about the verdict through an online publication, “ Kwamboka said.

She said the Netherlands-based Centre for Protection of Journalists (CPJ) has liaised with the government to re-open the case.

Kwamboka said then Director of Public Prosecution, Noordin Haji referred them to the Independent police overnight authority.

Conference facility

The widow said IPOA recorded statements from family members and pledged to conduct its probe in three months.

She said her husband was killed in the line of duty, adding, she is optimistic the family will get justice no matter how long it takes.

Kwamboka said Nyaruri had covered two graft stories at Nyamira Divisional police headquarters and the defunct Nyamira county council.

The widow said she has suffered since her husband was killed, adding, that he was a breadwinner and, being a housewife, she has had challenges bringing up their children.

Lawyer Danstan Omari lauded the media for its work and urged government police officers to respect and support scribes do their work.

He said it was wrong for police officers to delete the work of the media from cameras and phones, terming it illegal and an attack to the freedom of the media. “ I will offer free legal services to journalists who are arrested for doing their work” Omari said.

Njambi Mwaura, Assistant County Commissioner who represented Kisii County Commissioner Joseph Kibet said freedom of the media has been expanded and urged Scribes to be fair in their reporting.