
Justice David Majanja of the High Court of Kenya yesterday stopped the Communications Commission Of Kenya (CCK) from shutting the 18 transmitters run by Royal Media Services.
On Saturday CCK announced it had shut down six transmitters run by the media giant claiming the firm had done so illegally but a cross-section of Kenyans including Trade Minister, Moses Wetangula blamed the move on politics and in a statement issued by Prime Minister said the closure was aimed at denying voters information on the election process and claimed it was a rigging strategy by opponents.
Royal Media Services boss S.K Macharia is an open supporter of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) competing for political power with the Jubilee Alliance.
CKK had obtained court orders to shut the six illegal sites run by Royal Media Services which put viewers in of its Citizen TV in Muranga, Migori, Embu and Taita Taveta off and radio frequency in Malindi (Mabrui), Nakuru, Narok and Makueni.
Senior Counsel Dr. Kamau Kuria told the Business Daily “the actions of the regulator were jeopardising Royal Media Services business and interfering with the rights of Kenyans to information especially in the run-up to the General Election”, while Justice David Majanja told the papaer “the status quo should be preserved” and restrained the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) from closing the station’s 18 transmitters.
CCK had said it will charge S.K Macharia in court today morning Monday 4.