The Kenyan president’s press office has denied reports a private broadcaster had acquired broadcast signal exclusivity for Monday’s inauguration of president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta.
Through its director Isaiah Kabira the Presidential Press Service (PPS) said all media houses will be allowed to independently cover the inauguration amid reports by NTV the signal had been dished out to a private DJ.
NTV, owned by the Nation Media Group (NMG), through its Twitter platform had said local stations would have to collect the signal from the said private contractor, provoking a sharp response from Kenyans online.
NTV warned its audience through social media it might not be able to broadcast the proceedings.
Kenyans may not get to watch #UhuruInauguration Live as committee awards private DJ exclusive broadcast rights
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 5, 2013
NTV’s managing editor Linus Kaikai took to Twitter to call the exclusivity “ridiculous” and “unprecedented”, arguing the media station does not work with private channels.
Private tv signal for presidential inauguration? Ridiculous. Unprecedented. Of course we reject, we don’t touch private signals.
— LINUS KAIKAI (@LinusKaikai) April 5, 2013
Kenyans on social media wondered why the signal was not given to the national broadcaster, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), which also houses the presidential press service.
Others smelt a rat in the alleged deal.
Even the #TVSignal for #UhuruInauguration has been sold. The idea of “willing buyer willing seller” just gone to far.
— Sir.MD (@Moherz_KE) April 5, 2013
Pay back time…..tvs…the campaign money has to be recovered
— Kachwanya (@kachwanya) April 5, 2013
The confirmation by the PPs will therefore come as a relief to Kenyans would have been faced with missing the event.
