Citizen TV, KTN, NTV to remain shut Matiangi

Citizen TV, KTN, NTV to remain shut  Matiangi

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said the three major broadcasting houses that were switched off by the Communications Authority on Tuesday, January 30 will remain shut until investigations into what he termed as “serious breach of security” are complete.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday at Harambee House in Nairobi, Matiang’i cited possible incitement enhanced by affected Houses as the reason for the shut down.

“The government was and is aware of the role of some elements in the media who participated in the furtherance of this illegal act. Their complicity would have led to the death of thousands of innocent Kenyans…” said Matiang’i.

According to Matiang’i, media owners and all relevant actors had been given the full security situation brief regarding the planned ‘swearing-in’ but chose to “disregard the advice”.

“Unfortunately some media houses chose to disregard this advise, their own code of ethics, self-regulation and the moral responsibility of every Kenyan to safeguard the security of their fellow citizens,” said the CS.

This comes after the Communications Authority of Kenya switched off the signals of three television stations and various radio stations under the Royal Media Services at exactly ten minutes after nine on Tuesday morning.

Citizen TV was the first to go off-air with NTV being switched off shortly afterwards. KTN was the third station affected with its signal being switched off two hours later.

At the main transmission centers in Limuru, Kiambu County, a contingent of security officers stood guard, surrounding the masts and barring engineers from accessing the area to turn the signals back on.

The three broadcasters however turned to the worldwide web and streamed live broadcasts of the ‘swearing -in’ as it unfolded.

Royal Media Services Managing Director Wachira Waruru, condemned the action by the communications authority saying: “There has been no official communication as to why this action was taken. We are actively engaging the relevant government authorities to establish the reason for this action. We hope to resume normal broadcast as soon as possible.”

Tags:

Citizen TV NASA KTN Kiambu County NTV limuru breach of security brief Communication Authority nterior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i Railas swearing in Royal Media Services Managing Director Wachira Waruru security situation to remain shut

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