Courtesy : Charity Wanja
A state of confusion was experienced today during the electoral congress at Pride Inn Hotel as some journalists seemed to be locked out from covering the event.
Teamkenya.co.ke managed to contact a source who later revealed the entirety of the ordeal. "We arrived here and we found a list. They told us that the list was basically reserved for journalists who had expressed interest through accreditation," revealed the source.
"On the other hand, we as journalists didn't have any communication or information shared to our end with regards to accreditation. Sports Journalist Association of Kenya (SJAK) is running like a cartel for them to now lock us out with no valid reason," the source added.
Speaking with SJAK President Mr. Chris Mbaisi, the mentioned claims were quickly disputed as mere rumours."Journalists being barred off are rumours. They had asked people to present their names early; 2 people per media house. So if you went today, it was going to be tricky due to the Covid-19 guidelines being upheld. So there's nothing like being barred off. Journalists are currently there as we speak."
Some Journalists have still maintained that they were denied entry to cover the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) terming them quacks as cartels invading the sports journalism industry.
NOCK had done the accreditation secretly by involving a select number of journalists especially from the mainstream media leaving out many practising journalists.
According to the NOCK staff at the entrance, they had been given names with strict instructions by the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK).
Kenneth Wepukhulu, a member of SJAK and the 2011 Athletics Sports Award winning Journalists who is even accredited by the Media Council of Kenya was barred despite being known to the members of staff.
"We know you very well Mr Wepukhulu but SJAK told us that they know all journalists and whoever is not on the list is a quack and should not be allowed entry. Am sorry our hands are tied," said a member of staff.
Another scribe that was locked is veteran and renowned sports journalist Fred Maingi.
NOC-K Executive Committee Member Position Winners:
- Paul Otula 22 votes; Kenya Basketball Federation
- Barnaba Korir 16 votes; Athletics Kenya
- Winnie Kamau 14 votes; Kenya Swimming Federation
- Parvin Rawal 14 votes; Women Rep position
- Shadrack Maluki 18 votes; NOC-K's 1st Vice President
- Waithaka Kioni; 2nd Vice President of Olympics Kenya
- Francis Mutuku; NOC-K's Secretary General
- Mohammed Shwaib; NOC-K Deputy Secretary General
- Anthony Kariuki; Olympics Kenya treasurer
- John Onyango Ogolla; NOC-K Deputy Treasurer