The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) will boycott all Football Kenya Federation (FKF) events and matches unless the federation and security agencies guarantee the safety of journalists following violent and unprovoked assault of three accredited sports journalists by police at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 23, 2026, during the FKF Super Cup clash between Tusker FC and Gor Mahia, which Tusker won 3-1.
In a statement on Monday, SJAK said the journalists were assaulted by uniformed police officers while carrying out their constitutionally protected duties.
The affected journalists are Brandon Asiema (MCK Accreditation No. MCK019657), Hesbon Nyamari Osugo (MCK Accreditation No. MCK0302667) and Gad Isaac (MCK Accreditation No. MCK090804).
SJAK expressed “utmost outrage” over what it described as a violent and unprovoked assault, adding that it was alarming that officers tasked with maintaining order and protecting citizens had turned their violence on clearly identified and accredited media personnel covering a public sporting event.
SJAK noted that the incident was the second time sports journalists had been targeted and assaulted by police during an FKF match, describing the recurrence as evidence of a systemic failure by match organisers and security personnel to protect members of the press.
The association said violence against journalists was a direct attack on press freedom, public transparency and the integrity of Kenyan sport. It cited Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and the media.
SJAK has demanded that the National Police Service (NPS) and Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) immediately investigate the incident and criminally prosecute officers found responsible.
It has also called for an emergency multi-stakeholder forum involving NPS, FKF, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and media representatives to establish enforceable safety protocols for journalists at sporting venues.
SJAK warned that unless the forum is convened and verifiable guarantees are provided, it will call on sports journalists, photographers and broadcast crews across Kenya to boycott all FKF-organised events and matches.
“We will not stand by while our members are brutalized for simply doing their jobs,” warned SJAK.
