SIMHA Condemns the Arrest of Two Somali Jornalist in Nairobi

Somali independent media house association SIMHA strongly condemns the detention of journalists Hassan sheikh Omar and Fowzia Omar. The two who were working with Horn cable TV and Bar-Kulan Radio respectively were arrested in the predominately Somali neighborhood of Easteigh in eastern Nairobi on Saturday.

‘I have legal documents to stay in the country but the police are not interested,” Fawzia told SIMHA officials on phone. SIMHA vice chairman Ismail Khalif has urged the Kenyan police to immediately release the two journalists who fled the violence in Somalia.

“We urge Kenyan police to respect the rights of Somali journalists who fled the conflict in their home,” He said.

“We also call upon the United Nations and media advocacy groups to protect the rights of Somali journalists in Kenya.” He added.

Somali journalists who fled the civil war and threats of the Al-Shabaab militants are some of the over 4000 Somali refugees arrested by Kenyan police following security operation in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

allafrica.com