A section of senior editors were allegedly invited for a meeting on Friday last week. The purpose of the meeting was not clear.
Speculations are that the meeting was to warn the media houses against airing of the swearing in of NASA leader Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka as the peoples’ president.
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According to the Kenya editors guild the meeting was attended by the president, the deputy president ,Interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i,the ICT cabinet secretary Joe Mucheru and the Attorney General Githu Muigai.
According to the chairman of the Kenya editors guild, Linus Kaikai the president allegedly threatened to revoke the licenses of media houses that would air the purported swearing in of Raila Odinga. He said that the said that the same was threats were also indirectly issued by senior leaders in the government.
Linus Kaikai has said that the atmosphere of the meeting seemed to be intimidating and that it was a clear threat to the freedom of the media and the the freedom of expression.
The Editors have categorically stated that they are not actors in the political contest between NASA and Jubilee. He noted that the media remains to act as a messenger of the ongoing events in the country. They have said that Kenya is blessed with great journalists and editors who are competent enough to identify news that is of the interest of the public
The Kenya editors guild has condemned and refused to abide by the instructions that were allegedly issued during the Friday meeting. The y have the government to ensure the safety of journalists is upheld as the y cover the events of January 30.
The sentiments to reject the threats have been echoed by Independent journalist Machariah Gaitho who said that media freedom was an inalienable constitutional right which cannot be abridged by the president.
According to Business today a State House insider confirmed that the meeting indeed took place before president Uhuru Kentyatta left for Addis Abbaba. The insider also said that the president was very clear on the consequences of of going against the directive. The insider however sough anonymity.
The venue of the swearing in Uhuru park has since been cordoned off.
NASA insist that the swearing in ceremony will still take place and that the venue fr the same remains to be Uhuru park.
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