JOURNALISTS DETAINED AND MEDIA CONFISCATED WHILE COVERING PRESIDENTIAL RALLY IN VIHIGA

Mbale, Vihiga County — Harrison Shilima, a journalist with The Onfleek, and a team of colleagues were briefly detained yesterday while covering a presidential rally in Mbale, Vihiga County. The journalists reported being taken to Kisumu and held without any charges, during which phones and cameras were confiscated and all media files deleted, severely disrupting their work and raising serious concerns about press freedom in the region.
The rally, which attracted hundreds of attendees, saw some shouting “Wantam!”, signaling calls for President William Ruto to leave office. The event comes amid increasing political tension, following recent remarks by President Ruto, who has been criticized for going head-on and verbally abusing opposition leaders. Observers say such rhetoric has heightened political polarization in the country.
Shilima described the experience as “stressful and alarming,” noting that he and his colleagues had been reporting on the public’s reactions and attempting to document the unfolding events when security officials intervened. The journalists were held overnight before being released, leaving them shaken and frustrated by the loss of critical footage and images from the rally.
Media analysts say the incident underscores the precarious situation facing journalists covering politically sensitive events in Kenya, where reporters often risk harassment, detention, or confiscation of their work. “Journalists are the eyes and ears of the public, and restricting them undermines citizens’ right to information,” said one local media observer.
The arrest also highlights broader concerns about the treatment of the press during political events, particularly when reporting intersects with heightened public dissent. Shilima and his colleagues are now regrouping to recover what they can and continue reporting, emphasizing the importance of documenting political discourse despite risks.
As political tensions continue to simmer ahead of upcoming elections, journalists say the need for press freedom and protection of media personnel is more urgent than ever, ensuring that citizens remain informed about the political climate in Vihiga and across the country.