Media blackout announced
All live broadcasts have been suspended by the government. The order was released as ODM was addressing their press conference.
This is now officially a police state.
So we have no idea what ODM is saying, and what the security situation is around the country.
If I was ODM, I’d jump on Youtube right now. But I suspect that the internet and mobile phones are next so don’t be surprised if I go quiet (it has been a good ride folks).
There’s a run of food in the stores, and we were barely able to get groceries. Mothers like me with small children can understand the stress of operating without necessities.
There’s a GSU vehicle at the end of the street where we are staying and I’m getting reports of looting in places like Ngara and South B so you can just imagine how bad things are.
I’ve had to moderate comments for now and will only allow comments that are sending information about what’s going on on the ground - too busy to focus on controlling the emotions of people on both sides.
For people who are claiming that I have no revealed my “true colours.” I will restate again that I am upset not because Raila lost and Kibaki won, but because the process was flawed. I’d be just as upset if Raila was in power and this was taking place under his watch. I ask those guys who fail to see anything wrong with the process, whether they would have said the same thing if this was Moi doing this in 2002 - I think not.
ALL Kenyans have been mocked today both PNU supporters and ODM supporters - this is what the country as a whole fought against in 2002 - how short are memories? And even if your side won you should not be content with KENYANS being treated like wapumbavu. Exactly how are we going to exceed 6% growth under this conditions?
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:16
Ok, and according to the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7164890.stm ODM is planning an inauguration ceremony on Monday for Raila in Nairobi. And 5 people shot by Police in Kisumu, sad that Kibaki is enjoying the loss of life on innocent Kenyans
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:22
AL Jazeera says that ODM has called for people to assemble tomorrow at UHuru Park for an alternative inauguration?
Did we have to come to this? what is happenning? looks like this is recipe for chaos. I just talked to my brother and is is always an optimist but he now says that Kenya will never be the same as people willnot accept the stolen election. what next now?
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:23
The people who see nothing what the tragedy of today are not human at all. Even if some is blinded by tribal allegiance, it is a sad day for Kenya. What would they have done in 2002 if Moi refused to leave? Ironically, the man they spit at is the one who tosha-ed Kibaki and spent sleepless nights campaigning for him till he delivered. It hurts me a lot that some people have no human decency whatsoever. Some people are not part of our Homo Sapiens.
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:25
Al Jazeera wondering how the live ban affects them, but say they will wait and see.
i wish all could be clam and no problems. The european commision observer agreed that there were problems with the tally but ECK have refused to listen to them. he pointed out an example of MOLO where their tally was much lower than announced by kivuitu
is this the birth of kenya painful foruth republic through a blood peoples revolution? i hope not!! will sate of emergency be the next?
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:27
Thanks you are doing a great job, as a Kenyan abroad it breaks my heart to hear about the attacks which are taking place on the lives and livelihoods of innocent people. So very sad to see what started out as a hopeful event turn into something so negative and all because some fools couldn’t see where there inaction was taking the country. Amazing to think how in 24 hours something like this could spring forth. I am in the UK and just heard from a friend in Kenya that Odinga has declared himself the winner and is planning to hold an inauguration tomorrow. Also he has asked his supporters to come out in force to show their rejection of the ECK decision.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and all Kenyans tonight. I hope that common sense and decency prevail and that Kenyans can work to turn this situation around.
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:27
Ory, if we happen to lose touch for a while thanks so much for your dedication and committment to keeping us out of the dark.
I have found from another blog that Odinga was arrested. Can you confirm?
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:31
Ory, may I ask you a question. Is the ban only on LIVE TV broadcasts like KTN and NTV or it includes as well online news broadcasts like The Standard and Nation on the internet etc?
Thanks.
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:39
Not surprising! Exactly what I expected. So what do they want us to do, watch Mexican soaps as 44 years of a struggle for democracy are washed down the drain? I think not! This is an insult to the people of Kenya. But you know what? Bado mapambano.
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:41
Hey, does anyone have the aljazeera link so that we can do a mass distribution of this? How can the government ban us from our lifeline (information) at this crucial point? I am trying frantically to call my family. The phones are not working. This is prospesterous!!
KIBAKI MUST GO!!
on December 30th, 2007 at 14:43
Hi Ory,
I understand why you would moderate comments now. And I agree, it’s necessary. I just want to express my immense attitude at your consistency with keeping us updated on what’s been happening. My family and I are in Trinidad and Tobago. We’ve been logging on to the Nation and Standard websites, plus KTN Live, but your blog gave us relevant on-the-ground information that no media house could. For that, we are grateful.
I don’t know what will happen from here, but please, let’s pray for the best. The country is bigger than one flawed election. I believe that we will prevail. To whatever extent it is wise and safe for you to do so, please keep us updated on what’s happening. You deserve recognition for your work. Consider yourself a heroine. God bless you.
on December 30th, 2007 at 15:00
[...] wasn’t going to link it here, but Kenya Pundit feels that internet and mobile phones could possibly be next. Hopefully I’ll be able to post [...]
on December 30th, 2007 at 15:12
elections are never perfect even here in teh good old USA i think we have to weigh the options . in my city valkejo the electiosn changed habnds 3 times. nut we respected the process. in kenya we resort to extra judicial even before we exhaust the legal process.
I dont think you are being fair to the process. i think u should put on your legal hat and guide ur readers. instead of giving us this they did this and they did that .. i mena how credible is that ECK gentleman confessing. i mena if it aint wnat thing its another …its like the whole nation is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
on December 30th, 2007 at 15:19
We can see fires in & around Kibera. The police are running around clobbering innocents. As Ory has reported there are media bans. K24 seems to be the only station airing news.
Sad day for Kenya.
on December 30th, 2007 at 15:20
JUST IN: Heart breaking news from the ground, very credible source reports that Raila Odinga and the Pentagon Team have been arrested. Again, Raila Odinga and the members of the Pentagon Team have been arrested.
(Ory if you email me I can confirm my source)
Please spread the word as the Kenya media is unable to reports this, I repeat, the Kenya media is unable to report this.
They were arrested because they had asked Kenyans to gather at Uhuru park tomorrow meaning monday 31/12/2007 so that they could finish their address to the nation that was cut off midstream by the media ban on live tansmissions.
I gather that the Uhuru park gathering was declared illegal and ODM Pres. Candidate and leading lights were immediately arrested.
Kenyans, Please watch Aljazeera English for more updates from the ground and pray for our country…Pray hard,.
on December 30th, 2007 at 15:25
3 cheers for Ory, thanks for the all this. be safe with the family.:???:
on December 30th, 2007 at 16:01
Media black out? I am not at all surprised. Kibaki has shown a discomfort with a free press that surpasses Moi’s towards the end of his final term in office.
on December 31st, 2007 at 10:28
[...] is turning into a police state, Ory writes: All live broadcasts have been suspended by the government. The order was released as [...]
on December 31st, 2007 at 13:26
[...] in Africa – fraud, intimidation, riots, killings, etc, however, there is a new low registered: The government of Kenya put in place a media black-out (don’t ask why) following the post-election civil disobedience!. So no live broadcast on the [...]
on December 31st, 2007 at 23:05
As a Kenyan abroad but with a heart, family, friends, and property (if they are still there) in Kenya–we are saddened by the escalation of events but hopeful for Good tidings because we are PRAYING. If this fiasco can turn Kenyans who claim to ‘KNOW THEIR GOD’ to turn from their evil ways and seek their God then He (GOD) promises to ‘heal’ our land Kenya. This has to be a genuine individual ‘turning away’ from wickedness.
In this we are together regardless of our geographic locations.
May 2008 loom on Kenya as the beginning of a realization that we are in this together and we need to make it work. The outside world will not do it for us– they have their own principalities to deal with.
on January 2nd, 2008 at 1:31
[...] bloggers are busy countering the government’s media blackout. Kenyan Pundit, Ory, writes: “This is now officially a police [...]
on January 2nd, 2008 at 7:25
[...] the announcement of the “flawed” elections results, Kenya is on the verge of becoming a police state. Apparently there has been a complete media blackout. White African has post about how the internet [...]