A freelance photographer based in home in Kitale was killed on Wednesday night by hit men seeking to recover a picture he had taken earlier, even as a group of journalists planned a demo against violence and killing of journalists in Kenya.
Dennis Otieno, 26, was shot dead by a gang of three that invaded his Kibomet home at about 11pm, said area OCPD Wilfred Mogere, who explained that the attackers found Otieno’s wife fetching water outside the house and forced her inside the house, according to a report by the Star. “The three demanded a certain photo before engaging him,” said the woman named Janet Otieno.
“While trying to defend himself, they shot twice but missed. The third shot killed him.”
Janet said electronics, including a camera, and an unknown amount of money were stolen from the house. The OCPD said the body was taken to Kitale district hospital mortuary and investigations launched.
Several journalists have either been injured or killed in recent attacks in parts of Kenya. Kilifi-based Standard journalist Joseph Masha, 20, died last Saturday at his Kiwandani home in Kilifi.
Two days later, two journalists sustained injuries after they were allegedly clobbered by Kakuzi company guards during a demonstration in Murang’a county. They were covering a demonstration by Gititu Secondary School students against the company’s move to reclaim 45 acres of land it gave the institution a decade ago.
In the wake of the attacks, the United Nations said the rate of impunity in the case of crimes against journalists has reached “extremely high” level.
UNESCO said that in Africa, only five of the 131 murders of journalists committed between 2006 and 2015 have been handled in court. The organisation further said it was concerned by the judicial repression of journalists.
[crp]
