Kenyan TV Networks Censored for Airing Symbolic ‘Swearing In’ of Opposition Leader <PERSON> · Global Voices
<PERSON> speaks at the 2013 World Economic Forum. Photo by WEF via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
When Kenyan opposition leader <PERSON> was symbolically — if not legally — sworn in as the “people's president” on January 30, three major broadcasting networks were unplugged by the Government of Kenya.
<PERSON> was sworn in for a second term as president on November 28, 2017 after winning a controversial re-run election, which was held in October 2017 after the country's Supreme Court annulled the results of the initial August 2017 vote, having found “irregularities and illegalities”. <PERSON> did not participate in re-run, arguing that systemic flaws that produced these irregularities had not been addressed. The elections were marked with protests, multiple incidents of violence and destruction of property.
After months of uncertainty, incumbent president <PERSON> remains in power. But supporters of <PERSON> remain committed to his campaign and cause.
On January 30, 2018, thousands of Kenyans flocked to the famous Uhuru Park to witness a symbolic swearing-in ceremony for <PERSON> of the National Super Alliance (NASA). The majority of attendees were mainly people from Western, Nyanza, Coast and Eastern parts of Kenya where NASA enjoys sizable support.
<PERSON> being “sworn in” as the Kenya's People's President [Screen shot taken on February 1, 2018]
Some Kenyans did not go to work and decided they were going to watch this historic event from the comfort and safety of their homes. To their disappointment, the government decided to disconnect all the major broadcasting stations in the country including KTN News, Citizen TV and Inooro TV (both owned by Royal Media Services) and NTV, preventing them from effectively airing live coverage of the event.
According to Kenya's Attorney general, the mock ceremony was “treasonous” and therefore, in their view, had no place on national television.
The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that President <PERSON> and other executive staff “summoned media managers and editors on January 26 and threatened to shut their stations down and revoke their licenses” if they proceeded with the broadcast.
This raised a loud uproar from civil society organizations and Kenyans in general from all walks of life and different political affiliations. The freedom of media is well-anchored in Kenya’s 2010 constitution, but this did not stop the <PERSON> government from denying Kenyans access to information
‘People's president’ or ‘treasonous’ swearing in?
While <PERSON> indeed does not hold the office of the President in Kenya, the ceremony at hand was more than just a show of support for <PERSON> and the NASA.
It came as the result of the People's Assemblies Bill, a motion tabled in all opposition-controlled counties that legalized “the formation of the people's assemblies in the devolved units”. The People’s Assemblies bill has been passed by at least 20 county governments out of 47.
According to the People’s Assemblies bill, the power is vested in the people and their assemblies will have the power to recognize a leader of their choice. 424
Though this move by a select number of counties was perceived to be unconstitutional, it received substantial national support. The law also allows anybody of the capacity of a high court judge to administer the oath.
Most of all I thank the good Lord, my family and all those who have undertaken this journey with us. We have arrived in Canaan; thank you for staying the course with us. <PERSON>. pic.twitter.com/6gdZBfxVAv
— <PERSON> (@RailaOdinga) January 30, 2018
The swearing in ceremony of Mr. <PERSON> was meant to be held in 2017, but it was delayed due to a deep divide between <PERSON> and his core principals.
In the January 30 swearing-in ceremony, Mr. <PERSON>’s running mate, <PERSON> and other NASA core principles, <PERSON> and <PERSON>, did not turn up to the historic event. This kept <PERSON> waiting for too long, and infuriated the highly-charged crowd.
With advice from his key supporters, <PERSON> decided to take an oath of office as the people’s president in the absence of his running mate <PERSON> and other NASA principles. <PERSON> claimed they did not turn up at the Uhuru Park for the swearing in ceremony because their security guards were withdrawn by the state:
I was left alone. 1017