NAIROBI, Kenya, June7- A photographer with The Standard has received threats over the front page splash of Harambee Stars midfielder, Jamal Mohammed, smoking Shisha three days before they clashed with the Super Eagles.
Award winning sports photographer, Stafford Ondego, has received threats on his mobile phone following the picture that appeared in Friday’s edition of the local daily.
“Just responding to threatening calls am receiving; Am not responsible for the Jamal photo in our paper. I take action pictures in the stadium during matches and that’s all!” Ondego who has won the Kenyan Premier League photographer of the year thrice posted on his Face Book wall.
Speaking to Capital Sport, Ondego said the phone calls have been relentless since the country awoke to the shocking photo showing Mohammed covered in a plume of smoke from a Shisha pipe alongside that of the player in action for Stars against the Super Eagles.
“I understand he has been looking for my number and there are also those who are saying he is intending to sue but the truth is, I do not cover any entertainment beat,” Ondego said on phone.
“He has apparently called some editors and colleagues from other publications seeking my number but they have been professional enough to withhold it,” the former Kenya Times photographer added.
This comes after more pictures of the Stars squad including Mohammed and suspended captain, Dennis Oliech, emerged on social media platform where they are snapped taking wine at the Blanket & Wines event in Nairobi on Saturday.
“Then you asked why we lost the match against Nigeria SMH (shaking my head),” Ken Owen Gicharu posted on his Face Book wall alongside the picture.
Mohammed was among the players criticised for a limp display as Kenya’s World Cup dreams once again crashed with a 1-0 to Group F leaders Nigeria.
The Standard front page photo brought to the fore the partying lifestyle adopted by most Kenyan players especially close to important games with Mohammed among those who were supposed to be in residential training camp at the time they attended the event and later went clubbing.
