Journalists in Homa Bay have raised alarm after one of their colleagues was allegedly attacked by a senior county government officer in connection with an ongoing fake employment scandal.
The matter has sparked public outrage, with many demanding accountability and justice for those who have been duped and for the journalist who was assaulted.
Habil Onyango, a reporter who has been following the employment scam, said he was lured to a hotel in Homa Bay town by a friend before being confronted by human resource officer Beatrice Akugo.
He claimed he was abducted, tortured, and forced to surrender his phone and laptop. According to him, his social media account was accessed by his attackers, who went ahead to delete his messages and post an apology on his Facebook page in favor of Akugo.
Habil reported the matter at Homa Bay Police Station under OB number 25/14/25.
Akugo later admitted she slapped Habil several times, leaving him with injuries, but denied abducting him.
She explained that she was angered by a story linking her to the employment scandal. She said a doctor was even called to check on Habil and confirmed he had soft tissue injuries, but the journalist refused to take the prescribed medication.
Akugo further claimed that some of her friends who were present became enraged after Habil insisted he had been abducted and chased him away from the location.
Other journalists in the county condemned the attack and staged a peaceful protest outside the police station, demanding immediate arrest of the suspects. Erick Odek, one of the journalists, said the assault was a direct threat to press freedom and insisted that those behind it must face the law.
The incident comes at a time when Homa Bay is battling serious allegations of a job scam that has left many young people and their families counting losses. Victims like Jemima Anyango from Oyugis were issued fake appointment and posting letters allegedly signed by top county officials, including County Secretary Professor Benard Muok and Chief Officer Dr. Kevin Osuri.
Investigations later revealed that the letters were forged and that unsuspecting applicants had lost thousands of shillings to fraudsters.
One of the suspects, Reginal Owaka, admitted receiving payments but claimed to have refunded part of the money. His alleged accomplice, Akugo, admitted knowing about the scam but argued that it was not her responsibility to report the fraud, saying the investigative wing of the county should handle it.
Meanwhile, the county government has already suspended salaries of over 100 employees flagged in a payroll audit linked to irregular hiring.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is expected to probe both the assault on Habil Onyango and the wider fake jobs scandal.
Residents, however, fear that the close ties of some suspects to county officials may hinder justice. The case highlights not only the dangers faced by journalists but also the deep-rooted corruption that continues to deny young people genuine employment opportunities in Homa Bay.
