KENYA: TV channels still off air despite court order

Three of Kenya’s largest private TV channels remain off the air, despite an order by the country’s High Court suspending a shutdown. The government cut off KTN, NTV, and Citizen TV over plans to broadcast opposition leader Raila Odinga’s unofficial “inauguration” on Tuesday. The court suspended the ban for 14 days while the case is […]

Three of Kenya’s largest private TV channels remain off the air, despite an order by the country’s High Court suspending a shutdown.

The government cut off KTN, NTV, and Citizen TV over plans to broadcast opposition leader Raila Odinga’s unofficial “inauguration” on Tuesday.

The court suspended the ban for 14 days while the case is heard.

Mr Odinga lost last year’s election and his “swearing-in” was widely seen as a publicity stunt, but the authorities said it was an act of treason.

Opposition groups have accused the Kenyan government of violating the public’s right to information about important events.

The High Court also ordered the state not to interfere with the operation of KTN, NTV, and Citizen TV pending a full hearing.

The channels were taken off the air on Tuesday morning ahead of the “swearing-in”, but continue to stream their content online.