Journalists in Bungoma County staged protests over alleged threats by Governor Wycliffe Wangamati directed at Sulwe reporter Jimmy Simiyu.
This comes hours after a statement by the Media Council of Kenya issued a statement condemning the threats by Governor Wangamati.
The governor reached out to the journalist and threatened him after he was reportedly tipped off by an editor that Simiyu had filed the story in question.
“The Media Council condemns threats by Bungoma Governor Hon Wycliffe Wangamati directed at Royal Media Services reporter Jimmy Simiyu over a story he has been pursuing.
“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 the story that the reporter had filed over an event held in Bungoma County on Saturday 12th June 2021,” MCK’s statement read in part.
Following the alleged threat, Simiyu reached out to the Media council and was advised to file a complaint with the police. He reported the matter at the Bungoma police station.
The Media Council also asked Royal Media Services management to investigate allegations that one of its editors was involved in exposing Simiyu to the threats.
