KENYA: Authorities lift ban on 2 TV stations, but protesters hit streets over 2 others still blocked

Kenyan authorities have lifted the ban on NTV and KTN which can now be accessible on air after a ban on four TV stations for attempting to broadcast the mock inauguration of opposition leader Raila Odinga.

However, two other TV stations, Citizen TV and Inooro TV – remained blocked, according to Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper with protesters taking to the streets of the capital, Nairobi to condemn the media shutdown.

Reports say the shutdown by Kenyan authorities has been condemned by journalists and human rights groups which say it is an attack on press freedom.

Read also: KENYA: High Court suspends shutdown of 3 independent TV stations

“The government allowed the event to take place,” Linus Kaikai, managing editor of Kenya’s Nation Media Group, told Al Jazeera last week.

“I didn’t understand the minister’s rationale on why they allowed the event, but cannot allow coverage.”

The lifting of the ban on the two stations comes days after the suspension of the independent TV stations was suspended by a High Court.

According to NTV, a 14-day suspension of the government’s shutdown was ordered by the High Court in Kenya, while a legal challenge can be heard.

 

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