Nakuru journalists Archives

March 24, 2021

Nakuru journalists receive COVID-19 jab

Nakuru journalists on Wednesday started receiving their COVID-19 jab as frontline workers.

This is after the county government of Nakuru agreed to give priority to journalists.

The county argued that journalists were at high risk of contracting COVID-19 owing to the nature of their work.

This move will see all journalists willing to take the jab vaccinated at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital.

Nakuru TV Founder Patrick Kinyua alias Patrick Prince called on fellow scribes to go for the jab as it will go along way in shielding them from the virus.

Through a post on his social media platform,Prince indicated that indeed he had received the jab.

This comes barely days after Kenya Union of Journalists and Media Council of Kenya also rooted for goverment to consider journalists in the ongoing phase one of COVID-19 vaccination.

MCK CEO David Omwoyo stated, “Media was identified as essential service provider hence require protection and support.”

He called on goverment to ensure accredited journalists and media workers are vaccinated.

Riftvalley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya had also said journalists should be among the priority groups vaccinated against Covid-19.

He said journalists were highly exposed and could easily become super-spreaders because they interact with many people and institutions in the course of their duties.

Addressing journalists at his office last Friday, Natembeya said he was going to request for them to me immunised and educated on the Covid-19 vaccine.

Last week,veteran journalists Robin Njogu,Lorna Irungu and Winnie Mukami died to corona virus related complications while several others were hospitalized after being diagnosed with the deadly virus.

March 23, 2021April 10, 2021

Nakuru-based Journalists light candles as they remember fallen Public Health Chief Officer Samuel King’ori

Nakuru-based Journalists on Tuesday lit candles to remember Nakuru county Chief Officer for Public Health Samuel King’ori who succumbed to COVID-19 complications.

***The late Nakuru county Chief Officer Public Health Samuel King’ori.PHOTO/Courtesy.***

The event which took place at the former office of the deceased in Nakuru town at 7PM, saw Journalists narrate their last encounter with the deceased.

Led by Kenya Union of Journalists Nakuru Chapter Secretary General Kioko wa Kivandi,the scribes noted that the deceased was key in their line of duty.

“He had our interests as Journalists at heart.This is one person you would call and he picks your call” said Kioko.

Nakuru TV founder Patrick Kinyua alias Patrick Prince termed the death of King’ori a big blow to the Journalists.

He noted that , “death has taken a very dedicated and committed person to his work.”

Sentiments echoed by Evans Asiba who stated, “King’ori was a man of good deeds and we shall remember him forever.”

Elijah Cherutich on his part recalled how the deceased played a key role in ensuring information flow to the public.

According to Cherutich, King’ori was a bridge between journalists and the County health department to the public

“He was instrumental on matters Communication.Infact he played a key role in bridging links of communication” said Cherutich.

The journalists termed King’ori a ‘General’ who was in the forefront in the fight against Covid-19 in Nakuru County.

He mobilised, trained and coordinated the public health workers in the face of the pandemic, with amazing outcomes in all fronts.

Mr King’ori previously served as the county public health director before taking over as the Chief Officer Public Health in December 2019.

He will be remembered for transforming the Nakuru health sector through a strategy that resulted in the upgrade of service delivery and infrastructure.

November 24, 2020January 21, 2021

Why Njoro MP Charity Kathambi had a prayer session with Nakuru Journalists

Njoro Member of Parliament Charity Kathambi on Tuesday led a special prayer session with Nakuru journalists towards continued peace in the country.

Kathambi who had earlier held a presser to respond to DCI’s move on 2007/08 post-election violence cases, said the country needs peace and journalists have a key role towards realizing the same.

The Njoro Lawmaker who has been on the frontline in championing for peace also using the moment to task journalists to be peace ambassadors in their respective media houses and platforms they contribute their articles for.

She noted that Kenya has experienced peace in the last years and nothing should be allowed to interfere with the peace.

“We all have a role and as Journalists in Nakuru I just want to pray with you this morning so that you may continue to preach peace even in your media houses” said Kathambi as she commenced the prayers with each journalist raising their hands as a sign of surrendering to the Almighty God.

The first time Jubilee Lawmaker once again lauding Nakuru Journalists for the role they have continued to play in transforming society.

She maintained that as leaders in the Riftvalley region they will not allow the gains made towards peaceful society be derailed.

“In Rift valley we have the scars of the skirmishes of 2007/2008 but we have embraced peace and we will not allow anything that will rekindle the memories of what we went through” said Kathambi.

She noted that residents of Njoro and the entire Riftvalley region had forgiven each other and are not ready for any other violence but to continue embracing peace.

On Monday DCI boss George Kinoti announced that they were going to revive 2007-2008 post-election violence cases.

May 28, 2020

Nakuru county to offer psycho-social support to journalists

The County Government of Nakuru has vowed to work with Journalists on matters counseling and humanitarian support.

**Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui and Molo MP Kimani Kuria lay a wrath of flowers on the grave of the late Mediamax Molo-based journalist George Kori.PHOTO/NGPU.**

Speaking in Elburgon, Molo Sub County on Wednesday during the burial of Mediamax Journalist George Kori who was found dead last week in what reports pointed to suicide, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui noted that Journalists are exposed to disturbing images in the line of their duty.

He said this may cause trauma to some if not addressed in good time.

**A section of Nakuru Journalists during the burial of the late Mediamax reporter George Kori.PHOTO/NGPU.**

“It is unfortunate that journalists are exposed to disturbing images in the line of duty which may cause trauma to some of them. My administration will work with the journalists in Nakuru County to see how counseling and any other support can be availed to them” he said.

Kinyanjui who condoled with the family and friends of the late George Kori Njoroge termed the late Kori a polite young man who had a bright future.

The county boss also raising concerns over what he termed is rising cases of suicide in Molo and Elburgon.

“We recognize that suicide cases have been increasing at an alarming rate in Molo and Elburgon Sub Counties in the past few years. It is time we address suicide as a mental health problem and raise awareness on the signs to look out for” said Kinyanjui.

March 18, 2020

Nakuru Journalists trained on reporting COVID-19

At least 50 journalists have been trained on reporting about COVID-19 in a partnership between County Government of Nakuru and Kenya Union of Journalists- Nakuru chapter.

Nakuru County epidemiologists and virologists engaged the journalists in a three-day intensive training program at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital’s Administration Block boardroom.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui at a separate forum said the training would help the local journalists disseminate timely and accurate news about the novel coronavirus.

He said the media plays a critical role in educating masses, especially on public health measures, and empowering journalist was one of the sure ways of fighting the COVID-19.

“Social gatherings have been discouraged and the mass media is the only remaining source of up-to-date information,” he pointed out.

County Executive Committee Member for Health Dr Kariuki Gichuki added that social media platforms are flooded with fake news, hindering the fight due to misconceptions.

He said by journalists would make informed reporting by first understating what the virus and its epidemiology as the virus are not as dangerous as thought.

“The training has also equipped journalists with preventive precautionary measures while in the line of duty,” emphasized Dr Gichuki.

Chief Officer for Public Health Mr Samuel King’ori regretted that some countries in Asia and Europe were recording high infection and mortality rates due to the lack of factual information on the virus.

“We are reading crazy conspiracy theories on local social media platforms. It is now upon you to paint the true picture,” beseeched Mr King’ori.

The KUJ- Nakuru chapter Secretary-General Mr Kioko wa Kivandi said the forum has strengthened the local media and the County Government of Nakuru working relations.

Mr Kioko noted that having timely access to accurate information during times crisis will help fight fake news as well as provide public health measures.

K24 TV Reporter Mr Maina Wang’ombe urged the Health Department to offer psychotherapy services as journalists were becoming stressed out by the COVID-19 coverage.

He urged the Department of Health to avail peer-reviewed papers of COVID-19 to further inform news coverage.

The County Government of Nakuru has dedicated 0724 320 853 and 0722 337 018 for residents to report suspected cases to Nakuru County Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) medical team.

April 28, 2018

Kenya Union of Journalists opens Nakuru Chapter

Kenya Union of Journalists-KUJ has on Saturday held elections of the Union’s officials for the Nakuru chapter.

The exercise that was overseen by Sammy Muraya from the KUJ National office and also attended by Secretary General Mr.Erick Oduor as well Media Council CEO Mr.David Omwoyo.

Ms Mercy Kahenda was elected chairperson after garnering 25 votes defeating Elijah Kinyanjui who got 13 votes.

The position of Secretary General went with Mr.Kioko wa Kivandi who garnered 30 votes against Patrick Kinyua’s 8 votes while Caren Lumbasi was unopposed for the position of treasurer.

Ms.Rachael Kibui and Karanja Josephat were also elected as Executive Committee members.

In their victory speeches,the newly elected leaders vowed to work together in ensuring that the welfare of Nakuru Journalists is taken care of.

KUJ Nakuru chapter is the first one in the country to be established after the National one and according to KUJ National Secretary General Erick Oduor, they intend to have 5 chapters for the start.

According to Oduor, other regions that will have the KUJ chapter established are Coast, Kisumu, Nyeri and Eldoret.

He called on Journalists in Nakuru to embrace the Union as it will help them address their grievances at the grass root level adding that it is a platform to also engage with other media organizations such as Medial Council of Kenya.

“When we started this discussion why we don’t have KUJ at the grass root level and so we agreed as the executive that we shall start 5 chapters as per the law and monitor. So Nakuru is the first one then we shall move to Coast, Kisumu, Nyeri and North Rift probably Eldoret” he said.

While noting that the leadership of a Union is a heavy task, Mr.Oduor called on the Nakuru chapter to be transparent in their work and maintain integrity.

Similar sentiments echoed by Media Council CEO Mr. David Omwoyo who called on journalists generally to maintain integrity in the dispensation of their duties.

PHOTO/Pristone Mambili:Newly elected KUJ officials Nakuru Chapter.

January 22, 2018

Nakuru journalists in uproar after colleague threatened by police

Journalists in Nakuru have this afternoon congregated at Bondeni police Station in Nakuru after one of their own was allegedly threatened by a police officer.

The journalist who works with a local religious radio station faced the threats through his wife from a person she identified as a police officer.

“The police officer whom I know as Mr. Kimotho came to the place where we leave and demanded to know whether my husband was home,” reported the wife to the journalist.

“When I told the officer that my husband was yet to get home he left a message with me,” she added.

“Tell him we’ll act a movie with him. And we’ll see who emerges the winner,” the police officer had threatened.

The threats to the journalist are suspected to be connected to a story he had ran in the media. A few weeks back, the veteran journalist had ran a story about a suspect who had faced torture at the hands of the police.

Hello colleagues. After running a story where OCS Bondeni in Nakuru harassed a 24 years man by “castrating” him, yesterday, Sunday, a police officer attached to Bondeni police threatened my wife where I reside at around 8.45 pm and told her that he is going to act a movie with me and see who emerges the star. This happened when i was at work,” the journalist had reported.

“I will be escorting my wife in recording statement at Nakuru Central Police station at 3PM” added the journalist.

The journalist added that the incidence had affected both his and the wife’s lives greatly. He was joined by fellow journalists and human rights defenders to Central police station where they met the OCPD. After consultations, the OCPD had referred the complainants to Bondeni Police Station to report the incidence there.

“We are sure the threats upon the journalist are as a result of the torture story he ran. As human rights defenders, we expect the police to act and take appropriate action against the accused police officer who was sent by the perpetrator who happens to be the OCS himself,” said Masese Kemunche a human rights defender. Masese works with the Centre for Development and Good Governance (CEDGG) which is an NGO in Nakuru.

Other Civil Rights groups represented were Mifrift Humana Rights Network which was represented by its CEO Mr. Joseph Omondi. Mr. David Kuria another human rights defender represented the Nakuru Human Rights Network.

The journalist and his wife have both recorded statements with the police.