Sports Journalists Threaten To Boycott Local Matches After Police Attack
On Tuesday, April 29, the Sports Journalist Association of Kenya (SJAK) called on the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to take action following the police assault on a journalist during a match between Gor Mahia and Mara Sugar on Sunday, April 27.
According to SJAK, the alleged assault resulted in the journalist being hospitalised, with serious ramifications for FKF if no progress was achieved.
“As the leading body representing sports journalists in the country, we demand that Football Kenya Federation (FKF) take immediate action to address this matter,” SJAK averred.
“Failure to take concrete and decisive steps will leave us with no choice but to organise a boycott of all FKF-related activities until justice is served,” they further stated.
As Sports Jornalist Association of Kenya we condemn the assault on @NationAfrica photojournalist Chris Omollo and call for immediate action from @Officialfkfpl @NPSOfficial_KE @DCI_Kenya https://t.co/5rTyuK6MOz pic.twitter.com/923hClVw4X
— Sports Journalists- Kenya 🇰🇪 (@OfficialSJAK) April 29, 2025
The journalist body also urged the Federation to work with authorities to prevent similar situations in the future, as well as a review of security standards for journalists covering football games.
“Furthermore, we urge FKF to collaborate with the relevant authorities to ensure that such incidents do not occur again,” SJAK remarked.
“It is crucial that security protocols for journalists covering football matches are reviewed and reinforced to prevent the recurrence of such violent attacks.”
According to reports, a police officer asked the journalist and his colleagues to wait before being permitted admission.
However, another cop struck him in the back of the head, causing him to collapse.
His coworkers also accused the police of preventing them from assisting him, with several cops apparently demanding their withdrawal from the area.
A senior police officer then intervened to allow his colleagues to assist him, and the officer asked them not to exacerbate the situation because an ambulance was being dispatched.
During the Gor Mahia versus Mara Sugar match, the police confronted a group of fans outside the stadium and threw teargas canisters at them.
The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has threatened to boycott coverage of Kenyan Premier League matches following the assault of veteran Daily Nation photojournalist Chris Omollo by security officers during the Gor Mahia FC vs. Mara Sugar clash on Sunday, April 27,… pic.twitter.com/pebTbHpo4o
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) April 29, 2025
The gas infiltrated the stadium, prompting the center referee to halt play early in the first half to allow players to seek refuge.
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According to SJAK, the assault on the journalist was not the first time media practitioners had experienced police hostility, and the journalistic group urged the authorities to act professionally in carrying out their duties.
“It is with great regret that we must highlight that this is not the first time a journalist has faced such aggression while covering football in Kenya,” SJAK stated.
“This must not and will not be tolerated moving forward. The safety of our members must be guaranteed at all times, particularly in the course of their professional duties.
“The actions of the police officer involved in this assault are unacceptable and cannot go unpunished,” they expressed.
Sports Journalists Threaten To Boycott Local Matches After Police Attack
