De facto banning of three newspapers

(IPI/IFEX) – On 10 July 1998, the Registrar-General rejected registration of the newspapers “The Star”, “Finance” and “The Post on Sunday” “under the provisions of the Books and Newspapers Act (cap 111)”. Although the Act is only a recording statute and does not concern acceptance or rejection of any publications, the denial of registration of […]

(IPI/IFEX) – On 10 July 1998, the Registrar-General rejected registration of
the newspapers “The Star”, “Finance” and “The Post on Sunday” “under the
provisions of the Books and Newspapers Act (cap 111)”. Although the Act is
only a recording statute and does not concern acceptance or rejection of any
publications, the denial of registration of the three publications in
question means that they cannot publish or circulate, and is tantamount to a
banning.

The move is the latest in an increasing number of press freedom violations
in Kenya. On 29 June, Magayu Magayu, editor of “The Star”, and Francis
Mathenge Wanderi, managing director of Star Publishers Ltd., were charged
with publishing an “alarming” publication, which was said to cause fear and
alarm among the public. On 8 July, Patrick Mayoyo, Mombasa correspondent for
the daily “Nation”, received death threats from people suspected to be
involved in a story he had written about court practices in the government
customs department. On 10 July, Imanene Imathiu, a correspondent for the
“Nation”, was beaten by policemen while investigating allegations of
corruption in an administrative police camp. On 11 July, youths seized and
burned copies of the “Nation” in the streets of Nairobi following threats
made by members of the National Development Party of Kenya (NDP) that they
would destabilise the activities of the Nation Group (see recent IFEX
alerts).

Recommended Action

His Excellency President Daniel arap Moi

Office of the President

PO Box 30510

Nairobi, Kenya

Fax: + 254 2 33 73 40