IG Kanja breaks silence after brutal police attack on sports photojournalist

By , April 30, 2025

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has expressed regret over Sunday’s incident in which photojournalist Chris Omollo was struck on the head by a police officer while attempting to access Dandora Stadium to cover a Premier League match between Gor Mahia and Mara Sugar.

This comes after the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) strongly condemned the police brutality against Omollo and threatened to rally journalists across the country to boycott all football activities if their safety on match days is not guaranteed.

“This is regrettable, and as the National Police Service (NPS), we assure you of our commitment to act within the law. A few individuals within the Service may go off track, and this must be corrected appropriately,” NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga responded to SJAK president James Waindi on behalf of the IG.

Omollo is currently admitted at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, where he is receiving treatment after losing consciousness following the attack.

According to Omollo’s colleague Toto Arege, who was at the scene, the attack was completely unprovoked even after they were asked to identify themselves and complied.

Journalists had been requested to use a separate gate to avoid the main entrance, which was crowded with fans who did not have tickets. However, an unidentified police officer struck the back of Omollo’s head as he made his way into the field. Omollo, who had undergone head surgery a few years ago, lost consciousness from the blow and had to be rushed to the hospital.

“As SJAK, we strongly condemn this unprovoked attack on a journalist. It is uncouth and goes against the spirit of sport. Sports journalists play a key role in the growth of sports in the country, and their safety while covering sporting events must be guaranteed,” said SJAK president James Waindi.

He added: “We are calling for the reprimanding of the culprit and urge Football Kenya Federation to guarantee journalists’ safety and rein in the rising violence during match days. If FKF does not address this issue urgently, we will rally all sports journalists in the country to boycott all football matches and impose a total blackout.”

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