New Kenya government barred local TVs from the inauguration ceremony

By Our Correspondent, NAIROBI Kenya

The communication team of Kenya’s President-elect, William Ruto, has offered exclusive broadcast rights to Multichoice Kenya Ltd, an affiliate of South African pay-TV group barring the local from covering the event. 

The communication team is arguing that the group will “provide a channel for the rest of Africa;" the move that critics view as revenge against media houses that did not support Ruto's campaign.

Although Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), the national broadcaster, has a minority shareholding at Multichoice Kenya Ltd, local journalists and media organizations have criticized the move.

Kenya is a few hours away from the inauguration of president-elect William Ruto.

According to local media, about 20 heads of state have been invited to attend the ceremony.

On Tuesday, Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to hand over the instruments of power including a ceremonial sword and a copy of Kenya’s Constitution to the new president.

Ruto will be the first to take the Oath of Office, becoming Kenya’s fifth president since independence. He will be followed by his Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. 

The assumption of the office president act provides that the Deputy President-elect “shall take and subscribe to the oath or affirmation of allegiance and oath or affirmation for the execution of the functions of the office in accordance with the Constitution”.

The Kenyan Treasury Department has provided 200 million shillings or about 1.6 million dollars for the inauguration ceremony. It will be less costly than Kenyatta’s 2017 inauguration for which taxpayers paid over 300 million shillings.