The Media Council of Kenya has condemned  Bungoma Governor Hon Wycliffe Wangamati for threatening a Royal Media Services Journalist.

According to the statement released and signed by David Omwoyo Omwoyo, the Chief Executive Officer & Secretary to the Council , Wangamati threatened Jimmy Simiyu  over a story he has been pursuing.

It has also been established that the Council is also aware of allegations that the Governor called the reporter to threaten him after an editor from the media house tipped him off about a story that the reporter had filed over an event held in Bungoma County on Saturday 12th June 2021.

As a first intervention, the reporter was advised by the Council to report the matter to police which was recorded as OB 16/13/6/21 at the Bungoma Police Station.

Pursuant to the aforementioned, the Council states as follows:•

• That the Governor henceforth desists from threats and respects the independence and freedom of all journalists.
• That the Inspector General of Police intervenes by ensuring that the matter is expeditiously investigated with the view of bringing all those involved in the alleged violations to account. In the meantime, the police must guarantee the reporter’s safety and security.
• The statement revealed that Royal media should take disciplinary action against the editor who leaked the information to the governor.

His identity is still hidden.

• 'That Royal Media service takes measures to establish the truth behind allegations that one of its editors was involved in the transgression and if confirmed, takes disciplinary action against the said editor for interfering with the independence and freedom of the affected journalist and jeopardizing his safety.
• The Media Council of Kenya calls upon the public and various public governance levels, including County Governments, to refrain from threatening and obstructing journalists from undertaking their lawful roles.

We remain committed to advocating for a safe working environment for Kenyan journalists.