The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has strongly condemned the assault, abduction, and harassment of two journalists in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, warning of a growing threat to press freedom in the country.

In a press statement released on Sunday, March 22, 2026, the Council highlighted the ordeal of George Njoroge and Gilbert Sitati, both of whom were targeted following coverage of alleged corruption involving a local political figure.

“The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) strongly condemns the violent assault, abduction, and harassment of journalists George Njoroge (MediaMax Network Ltd) and Gilbert Sitati (Kenya Television Network) in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County. These acts constitute a direct violation of constitutional provisions and international principles on the protection and promotion of press freedom,” MCK stated.

George Njoroge’s ordeal

According to MCK, Njoroge, a journalist with Mediamax Network Ltd, was assaulted after sharing a screenshot of a news article via WhatsApp, an action the council described as lawful and within his professional duty.

The situation escalated when he sought refuge at a police station, but was reportedly forcibly removed by an individual reportedly linked to a local leader in the presence of police officers.

He was then taken to Kitale Forest, where he faced threats to his life before being rescued after the incident attracted public attention.

MCK termed the incident a “brazen display of impunity”, particularly faulting the failure by police officers to protect a journalist under their custody.

“Mr Njoroge was physically assaulted after sharing a screenshot of a Standard Group news article on WhatsApp, a lawful action. While seeking safety at a police station, he was allegedly forcibly removed by an individual reportedly linked to a local county leader in the presence of on-duty officers,” the council stated.

“He was taken to Kitale Forest, subjected to death threats, and only rescued after the incident gained public attention. Allowing a journalist to be dragged from police protection without resistance is a grave institutional failure and a source of profound shame to the National Police Service.”

Gilbert Sitati’s attack

The second victim, Sitati, was assaulted while documenting the unfolding events. MCK says his footage, which has since circulated widely, is expected to serve as crucial evidence in ongoing investigations.

MCK emphasised that Sitati was targeted simply for performing his journalistic duty of recording matters of public interest.

“Mr Sitati was assaulted for filming part of the attack. The resulting video, now widely circulated, serves as vital evidence. Documenting matters of public interest is a fundamental journalistic duty, yet he was punished for performing it,” MCK stated.

The Council also raised alarm over the conduct of the National Police Service, noting that officers allegedly stood by as Njoroge was removed from the station.

It further claimed that when Njoroge later returned to record a statement, the suspected perpetrator openly threatened him within police premises, expressing confidence that no action would be taken.

“When Mr Njoroge returned to record a statement, the alleged perpetrator threatened him openly on police premises, declaring that no action would follow. This brazen impunity highlights the deep-rooted culture of lawlessness surrounding attacks on the media,” the statement reads.

Call for justice

MCK has called for urgent, thorough, and impartial investigations into the incident, urging authorities to ensure all those responsible, including any officers who may have failed in their duty, are held accountable.

The Council warned that such incidents are becoming increasingly common, painting a worrying picture for media freedom in Kenya.

“MCK calls for urgent, thorough, and impartial investigations into the attacks on the journalists, which have been well documented with available video evidence, so that the perpetrators are held accountable, and any officers complicit in the incident through their failure to protect a citizen in their custody are brought to justice,” MCK said.