The Star condemns attack on photographer during Ol Kalou by-election

The Star has strongly condemned the attack on its photojournalist Enos Teche while covering the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, calling for the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible and renewed protection for journalists reporting on Kenya's electoral processes.

In a statement on Thursday, Group Editorial Director Paul Ilado described the assault as part of a worrying pattern of attacks against media professionals carrying out their work.

"We strongly condemn Thursday's attack on journalists covering the Ol Kalou by-election," Ilado said.

He said Teche was assaulted by masked men outside Ol Kalou Comprehensive School, sustaining injuries and losing his camera during the incident.

Ilado also noted that NTV cameraman George Kieru had his equipment confiscated during the same disturbance.

"Journalists do not take sides, they document. Targeting them for simply doing their job is unacceptable and constitutes a grave threat to press freedom," he said.

He called on the police to move swiftly to identify, arrest and charge those responsible while guaranteeing the safety of journalists covering elections and other public events.

The attack occurred on Thursday afternoon after violence broke out in Ol Kalou town during the parliamentary by-election.

Voting had proceeded largely peacefully throughout the morning until unrest erupted near St Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive School polling centre.

According to Teche, a group of masked men arrived in a Prado vehicle before firing shots into the air and discharging tear gas, prompting residents to flee the area.

He said the men then confronted him as he documented the unfolding events.

As the only photographer at the scene, Teche said he was surrounded and questioned before the group forcefully grabbed his camera.

He said he was struck several times on the chest, his hand was twisted during the confrontation and a tear gas canister was fired at his leg, leaving him injured.

The incident came after a section of residents had briefly barricaded a road leading to the polling centre, prompting a police response.

In his statement, Ilado said the assault reflects an emerging pattern of intimidation directed at journalists covering matters of public interest.

He cited previous incidents this year in which journalists reported harassment and interference while carrying out their work.

Among them were the detention and alleged harassment of journalists covering demonstrations in Nairobi in March, incidents in which equipment was reportedly damaged and footage deleted, as well as the use of tear gas against journalists covering a school play in Nakuru.

He also referenced the July attack at the Kenya Human Rights Commission offices, where masked individuals disrupted a press conference attended by journalists.

The Star said attacks on journalists undermine press freedom and the public's right to receive information, urging authorities to ensure media practitioners can perform their duties safely without intimidation or violence.