Kenya Journalist Released from Detention

ADDIS ABABA – Kenyan journalist Yassin Juma has been released from detention in Ethiopia – about a week after his lawyer said he had contracted coronavirus in prison.

“Kenya Embassy in Ethiopia has managed to assist Collins Juma Osemo alias Yassin Juma, Kenyan journalist arrested in Ethiopia, to move to government manage isolation facility after he tested positive to COVID-19 at Sostegna police station where he was held until yesterday,” Kenya’s Foreign Ministry said.

Juma, a freelance reporter, was detained in Addis Ababa, in July, following the unrest that broke out after the killing of popular Oromo musician Hachalu Hundessa.

Authorities in Ethiopia this week ordered his release, saying he had been “wrongfully arrested”.

Kenya’s Foreign Ministry said he was released after the intervention of its embassy in Ethiopia, which had sent several protests notes to Addis Ababa.

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Agencies