By KPC Sports Reporter
The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has condemned the assault of one of its members during an international rugby tournament at Nyayo National Stadium.
The Association warned that growing hostility towards journalists is undermining sports coverage in the country.
The incident occurred on February 15 during the final day of the HSBC Rugby SVNS Series, where journalist Ruckiel Odikor was allegedly subjected to physical handling and intimidation while carrying out his professional duties.
In a statement issued signed by Secretary General Moses Wakhisi and released on Tuesday, SJAK said it initially chose to engage quietly with key stakeholders before going public.
“We deliberately prioritised engagement with the affected member, event organisers, the Kenya Rugby Union and relevant security agencies to establish the facts and safeguard our member’s welfare,” the Association said.
After consulting all parties, SJAK said it was compelled to take a firm stand, describing the incident as unacceptable and symptomatic of a wider problem facing journalists across sporting disciplines.
“Journalism is not a crime, and a sports venue must never become a place of fear for accredited media professionals,” the statement read, adding that “an attack on a sports journalist is an attack on sports reporting in Kenya.”
Obstruction of coverage
While acknowledging cooperation from the Kenya Rugby Union and security agencies, SJAK raised concern over what it described as a growing pattern of intimidation, obstruction of coverage, confiscation of equipment and physical harassment of journalists at sporting events.
“These incidents point to a systemic gap in the understanding and management of media relations within the sporting ecosystem,” the Association said, noting that the problem cuts across football, athletics, rugby, boxing, basketball, volleyball and motorsport.
SJAK emphasised that no disagreement, breach of protocol or misunderstanding can justify the use of physical force against a journalist.
“Physical confrontation can never be an enforcement mechanism and will not be tolerated,” the statement said, adding that any disputes should be handled through administrative and procedural channels, including withdrawal of accreditation or referral to professional bodies.
Professional responsibility
At the same time, the Association noted that journalists also bear professional responsibility.
It said any conduct falling below acceptable standards would be addressed internally through its disciplinary structures, stressing that professionalism must be mutual.
To prevent future incidents, SJAK called for its inclusion in Local Organising Committees for major international and high-risk local sporting events.
According to the Association, early involvement would help ensure proper planning around media access, zoning and security briefings, reducing friction and misunderstandings.
“When journalists operate under threat, coverage suffers. When coverage suffers, athletes lose visibility and sport loses commercial value,” SJAK warned, adding that protecting journalists ultimately protects sport itself.
The Association called for zero tolerance for violence in sporting venues. “A journalist’s tools are the pen and the camera, not self-defence. Our duty is to tell the story of sport and not to survive it,” the statement said.