NAIROBI JANUARY 30, 2018 (CISA) – The government has today shut down the transmission of several private mainstream TV and radio stations in Kenya that defied a directive not to cover the ‘swearing in’ of opposition leader Raila Odinga live.
The affected stations include Royal Media Services owned,Citizen TV, followed by NTV and later KTN.
In a statement Waruru Wachira, the Managing Director, Royal Media Services Limited confirmed that the Communication Authority disconnected Citizen and Inooro TV transmission.
He added that there was no official communication as to why this action was taken but was actively engaging relevant Government authorities to establish the reason for the switch off.
Despite the switch off, thousands of National Super Alliance (NASA) supporters thronged Uhuru Park Grounds in Nairobi to witness the swearing in of opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The supporters started arriving at the venue from as early as 6 am to witness the swearing in ceremony of Mr Odinga.
At around 2.45 pm he took the oath in a ceremony skipped by his co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula.
Holding a Bible on his right hand, Mr Odinga said: “I, Raila Amolo Odinga, in full realization of the high calling assume the office of the people’s president of the Republic of Kenya, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the People and the Republic of Kenya; that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Kenya, as by law established and all other laws of the Republic as adopted by the People of Kenya; that I will protect and uphold sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya. So help me God.”
The 90-word oath was administered by Ruaraka Member of Parliament TJ Kajwang and former Nairobi gubernatorial candidate Miguna Miguna.
“Today is a historic day for the people of Kenya. For the first time in our history, people have gathered here in their hundreds of thousands to say enough is enough with election rigging. Today is a one stop towards doing away with electoral autocracy and to establishing proper democracy in the country,” said Odinga.
“I thank Kenyans for the courage, for the patience and fortitude you have shown the rest of the world that a people united cannot be defeated,” he added.
Police had vowed to barricade Uhuru Park but were soon withdrawn from the venue.
After being ‘sworn in’, Odinga issued a brief address where he thanked his supporters for turning up in large numbers for the event.
Odinga explained that his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka would however take his oath at a later date.