Kenyan authorities target media as counter ‘inauguration’ proceeds

As the Kenyan capital Nairobi braces itself for the controversial counter “swearing-in” of opposition leader Raila Odinga set to go ahead despite warnings from the East African country’s attorney general that this could amount to treason.

Media reports indicated that the Communication Authority in Kenya was preventing several media outlets from broadcasting the controversial event.

Kenya’s Standard Media reported that Waruru Wachira, the Managing Director of Royal Media Services Limited, said on Tuesday morning that the Communication Authority had disconnected TV and Radio transmission.

No official explanation was provided as to why the media outlets were being prevented from covering Odinga’s “inauguration” as the National Super Alliance (NASA) opposition coalition forged ahead with its campaign of defiance against incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ruling Jubilee Party.

Opposition activists have vowed to never recognise as a legitimate government.

However, Kenya’s editor’s guild said in a statement on Monday that Kenyatta, in a private meeting with journalists and editors warned last Friday that he would shut down and revoke the licenses of any media house that broadcast Odinga’s protest event.

Meanwhile, as tensions escalate with fears of more bloody clashes between protesters and Kenyan security forces – similar to those that claimed numerous lives during last year’s election debacle – Nasa leaders have begun trooping into Uhuru Park ahead of the planned “swearing-in” of principals Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.

Anti-riot police, armoured vehicles and water cannons have been deployed on the ground.

Earlier in the morning police impounded three buses transporting NASA supporters from Mombasa to Nairobi.

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