Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has revealed the TV stations that had their transmissions cut off will remain shut down. This comes after three major TV stations were shut down moments after live broadcasts of the planned Raila Odinga swearing-in ceremony had commenced in the morning.
Addressing the press on Wednesday, CS Matiang’i said investigations are still going on in relation to NASA leader Raila Odinga’s swearing-in, “As a result of what happened yesterday we have commenced widescale investigations targeting individuals and organizations who include and may not be limited to certain media houses, we will act decisively and strictly according to the law,” he said. He added that as long as investigations continue, there are some actions already launched which will remain in place, and the media houses will remain switched off until investigations are completed.
The Cabinet Secretary faulted the National Resistance Movement, insisting that it’s a criminal organization. “It’s not a political party, it’s a group of individuals bent on mayhem and anarchy. They intend to incite members of the public against a constitutionally instituted government,” said CS Matiang’i. He reiterated that the state respects all political parties and that all political parties don’t need permission from the government to engage in political activities, “Criminal gangs masquerading behind a political agenda will not be tolerated,” he added.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to development, saying they remain committed to the rule of law, “Kenyans are free to do whatever they please as long as it is within the law. But as a government we are resolute on one thing, we will not accept subversion and criminal acts of subversion that are disguised as political activities,” he said. The Interior CS Fred Matiang’i was accompanied by other leaders for the press briefing, including ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru.
