CURRENT CNN Africa journalist of the year John Allan Namu and a collegue Mohammed Ali have recorded a statement with Kenyan police after receiving death threats over an investigative series on corruption at the Port of Mombasa, writes Dennis Itumbi for journalism.co.za
The duo both working for KTN [Kenya Television Network] as senior investigative reporters say they have been receiving text messages and calls from anonymous people warning them of death after a story exposing a tax evasion scam was broadcast on the station owned by the Standard Group.
Accompanied by The Standard Group lawyer, Chaacha Odera, the pair recorded statements at the Central Police Station, in which they said unknown people have been calling them asking them to drop the story or face unspecified action. But the two have vowed to continue with their popular pieces.
The story "Port of Impunity" and the Swahili version Zengwe Zengwe Bandarini has caused ripples in government quarters and among rogue traders who evade tax, defrauding government of millions of shillings. The Standard Group has called upon the government to accord the two adequate security and hasten investigations to bring to book the culprits.
Namu an Ali, who are founders of Jicho Pevu and the Inside Story, are renowned for undercover stories. They suspect those threatening them are linked to a corruption syndicate at the port, which they have unearthed.
