Nation's photojournalist assaulted during football match at RVIST
Photojournalist John Njoroge was roughed up by Zoo FC fans during a football match at RVIST on August 6, 2023.
Journalists in Nakuru have condemned the assault on Nation Media Group journalist during a football match in Nakuru.
Mr John Njoroge who is a photojournalist based in Molo was attacked by rowdy fans during playoff matches between the Zoo Fc and Nairobi United at the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST).
The incident occurred at 5pm on Sunday.
Speaking to Mtaa Wangu Njoroge narrated how the rowdy fans descended on him while covering the match in an attempt to destroy his equipment.
Photojournalist John Njoroge based in Molo.
According to him, it was during the second half of the match when the Nairobi United scored a goal that infuriated Zoo FC fans.
The rowdy fans stormed the field in an attempt to disrupt the match and in the process causing chaos on the field.
While the police tried to restore sanity by pushing the fans back, Mr Njoroge saw an opportunity of a good photo and decided to take the shot.
One of the fans saw him and charged towards him.
"He asked me why I was taking a picture of him and demanded that I delete them or hand him the camera," said Mr Njoroge.
Before he could blink, other supporters had already surrounded him and started pulling him from different sides.
"Their main aim was to take the equipment which I firmly held onto," said Mr Njoroge.
He was rescued by two police officers who were nearby and pushed the group away.
However, Njoroge was left with torn clothes and exhaustion from engaging the goons.
"I was not hurt but my clothes were torn to pieces," he said.
However, Njoroge says the officials from the Football Kenya Federation are yet to comment on the issue or take responsibility for the attack.
"I was only contacted by the Media Council of Kenya who inquired to find out what had happened and later advised me to report the assault to the Police," he said.
Following the incident, journalists from the region have joined hands to condemn it.
Nation’s Bonface Mwangi called on the match officials to ensure the safety of journalist who have no interest in the outcome.
"What does a media person have to do with whatever the outcome of any game is so as to deserve being roughed up? This is wrong and should be condemned with the strongest terms possible," said Mr Mwangi.
Renown journalist Suleiman Mbatia added "We demand immediate action, including the prompt identification, apprehension, and prosecution of the perpetrators, whose actions were unequivocally captured in both videos and photos."