A journalist with People Daily, Habil Onyango, was on Sunday abducted and assaulted in Homa Bay County, allegedly by individuals linked to a corruption scandal he had exposed.

Onyango, who authored the story that lay bare fake employment letters issued by Governor Gladys Wanga’s office, said he was lured into a trap by a friend. Upon arrival at the venue of the “meeting” at a restaurant, he was introduced to a woman identified as Beatrice Akugo, a human resource manager in Governor Wanga’s government and the mastermind of the job scandal.

Onyango’s exposé in westerninsight.co.ke revealed how Homa Bay residents are swindled by senior county government officials through fake job schemes.

Such thuggery in retaliation undermines truth and public accountability, says the Media Council of Kenya (MCK). The council advised the aggrieved parties to seek help from the Media Complaints Commission, not resort to violence.

According to Onyango, he was forced to write a news article to absolve Akugo from the scandal. When he declined to do so within the 20 minutes demanded, two men beat him up, targeting his cheeks, the back of his head and ribs.

“They then bundled me into a Toyota Harrier car and shoved me in the boot before ferrying me to a place in Milimani (in Homa Bay town),” Onyango recounted. “At the building, Akugo called a doctor to treat me. After that, she bought me lunch.”

Onyango managed to escape when his abductors were distracted. He reported the incident at Homa Bay Police Station before seeking medical treatment. He appealed to the national government for protection from the brutal county authorities, saying:

“We are not criminals. Our job is to inform the public about the wrongs and rights of public officers.”

The attack has sparked outrage in the media industry with journalists condemning Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and accusing her of retaining crooks to suppress truth about the excess of hr government.

MCK led the condemnation of Governor Wanga’s staff, saying it (media council) “is appalled by the brutal assault, abduction and intimidation of journalist Habil Onyango in Homa Bay on 14 September 2025.”

MCK said the incident “orchestrated by a Senior Human Resource Officer at Homa Bay County Government, targeted Mr Onyango for his investigative reporting on a fraudulent employment scandal. This attack is not only an assault on an individual but a grave threat to press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the rule of law in Kenya.”

Senior journalist Philip Osewe condemned the assault, describing it as a blatant attempt to silence the media.

“We strongly condemn the attack on our colleague. The constitution is clear on the role of the media, and we will not be cowed by intimidation,” he said, urging police to arrest and prosecute the culprits.

Erick Odek of Namlolwe FM echoed the calls for justice. Odek asked the Media Council of Kenya to take legal action against county officials in addition to the perpetrators being compelled to cover Onyango’s medical expenses.

“It’s by good luck that Habil survived. If Beatrice Akugo hired goons to attack a journalist, then she must face the law,” he said.

William Khayoko, CEO of the Journalists for Human Rights Network, described the attack as a violation of press freedom and noted this was not the first time Onyango had been targeted.

“These people are known and must face the law. If anyone feels aggrieved by media coverage, they should seek a right of reply, not resort to violence,” he said.

According to MCK report, Onyango was lured into a Homa Bay hotel where he was “ambushed by thugs and allegedly assaulted by the county officials, causing facial injuries”.

He was in addition forced to inhale bhang and driven around in town and humiliated. His work tools were also confiscated, data deleted and a fake apology posted online to discredit him.

Journalists and rights groups are now calling on the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter urgently.

Kenya’s Constitution (Article 34) and international covenants, like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, protect media freedom.

“This incident signals a dangerous erosion of democratic norms, fostering fear over facts. The MCK condemns this act and calls on Kenyans, civil society, and global partners to denounce it. We demand swift, transparent investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Independent Policing Oversight Authority, and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, MCK demanded.

It said the perpetrators, who are known to Onyango, must face arrest and prosecution. “We urge the National Police Service to recover Mr Onyango’s devices and ensure his safety.”

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Sitna Omar