Businessman assaults ‘Standard’ journalist

By Boniface Ongeri

A journalist working with The Standard was on Tuesday night  assaulted by a businessman at a function attended by Defence Minister Yusuf Haji in Ijara.

North Eastern Province-based Adow Jubat was attending the function held at the trader’s hotel in Masalani Township when the businessman wrestled him to the ground. The incident was reported to the police.

Jubat was treated for neck and stomach injuries at the Ijara District Hospital and discharged.

According to the police report, the trader – Abdullahi Sheikh Hared – attacked Jubat from behind.

Local police boss Rems Warui said they were investigating the motive of the attack.

“We are made to understand the attack was unprovoked, but we will investigate and make prosecutions,” he said.

The journalist said he suspected the motive could be related to his investigation into alleged corruption in awarding of tenders that has seen only four people repeatedly awarded government contracts since the inception of the district in 2000.

Jubat said he was spitting blood occasioned by strangling and has difficulties in swallowing solid food.

Motive

He said the attack was not in any way related to the presence of the minister who was strategising on how to capture the Garissa county senator’s seat.

“My assault by the businessman was purely related to my investigation into alleged improper ways and runaway corruption in tendering of Government contracts in Ijara District,” he said.

Jubat has also on previous occasions been threatened by Government officials, aid workers and contractors for investigating malpractices.

He was also threatened by Al Shabaab early 2012. 

The businessman declined to comment on the alleged assault.