Eldoret Drama as Citizen TV Reporter Nearly Attacked Over Mashujaa Day Remarks

There was drama in Eldoret after a Citizen TV reporter was almost beaten by a group of youth believed to be allied to President William Ruto after he referred to the celebrations as “His Last Mashujaa Day.”

According to witnesses, the incident happened as the journalist was doing a live report on the Mashujaa Day preparations in Eldoret, which is President Ruto’s backyard.

The reporter had allegedly said on air that this could be President Ruto’s last Mashujaa Day as President, a statement that angered some of the locals who were following the live coverage.

Trouble started when a group of rowdy youth charged towards the reporter and his cameraman, accusing him of disrespecting the President and wishing him failure.

The journalist was forced to cut short his live link as the youth shouted at him and attempted to manhandle him, before other members of the public and police officers intervened to save him.

Sources at the scene said the situation became tense for several minutes, with the youth insisting that the reporter apologizes on camera for his remarks.

The media crew was later escorted to safety, but the incident has sparked heated debate online about press freedom and the safety of journalists while on duty.

Kenyans online have condemned the attack, saying journalists should be allowed to do their work without intimidation, regardless of what they report.

Others, however, argued that journalists should be careful with the language they use when reporting about the President to avoid provoking the public.

The Media Council of Kenya and other media lobby groups are yet to comment on the incident, but calls are growing for action to be taken against those who attacked the reporter.

This comes at a time when cases of journalists being harassed during political events have been on the rise in the country.

Should journalists be allowed to say anything about leaders, even if it offends supporters?

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