Kenyan television channels still on black

nairobi - Three Kenyan television channels remain off the air indefinitely. It is about media that tried to defeat a striking protest action of the opposition on Tuesday. Then the private channels suddenly went black.

'The government decided to close the relevant media houses, until further notice, while carrying out a survey', said Minister Fred Matiang'i (Home Affairs) Wednesday. He accused elements within the media of facilitating an 'illegal action.' 'According to the minister, they put the lives of thousands of Kenyans at risk.

The decision affects the channels Citizen TV and Radio, KTN News and NTV, who attended the 'swearing in' of opposition leader Raila Odinga. He was declared 'president of the people' in a park in Nairobi. 'About 15,000 people cheered him. That was against the sore leg of the national authorities, which the NRM opposition movement later proclaimed a criminal organization.