(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 15 July 1998, on 10 July the licences of “Finance” magazine, “The Post on Sunday” and “The Star” were withdrawn by the Registrar General, Omoni Mbago. These three newspapers are fairly critical towards the government of President Daniel Arap Moi and the leaders of Kenya. […]
(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 15 July 1998,
on 10 July the licences of “Finance” magazine, “The Post on Sunday” and “The
Star” were withdrawn by the Registrar General, Omoni Mbago. These three
newspapers are fairly critical towards the government of President Daniel
Arap Moi and the leaders of Kenya. No official reason has, however, been
given for the banning.
**This alert contains information further to IFEX alert of 14 July 1998**
“The Star” has already had to face legal proceedings three times. On 29 June
1998, Magayu Kiarie Magayu, editor, and Francis Mathenge Wanderi, managing
editor, were detained for a day before being released on bail until their
case is heard on 8 September 1998. They are accused of being responsible for
“alarming publications”, following an article entitled “How the coup was to
be executed”, published on 27 March 1998 (see IFEX alert of 6 April 1998).
They allegedly published and printed the newspaper without paying the
required publisher’s and printer’s deposits. The two journalists, together
with Kamau Ngotho, news editor of the same newspaper, have moreover been
sued for libel by Deputy State House comptroller John Lokorio, in connection
with two articles published on 23 and 30 June 1998.
On 8 July, Anthony Gachoka, editor of the magazine “The Post on Sunday”,
locked himself up in his office to avoid arrest. During the previous week,
the Kenya High Court, sitting in Nairobi, restrained the magazine from
publishing any matter related to Nairobi businessman Joshua Kulei (see IFEX
alert of 10 July 1998).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
and Political Rights, Article 19 of which guarantees the freedom to inform
and to be informed
“Finance” magazine, “The Post on Sunday” and “The Star” have been withdrawn
Appeals To
Mr. Daniel Arap Moi
President of the Republic of Kenya
Nairobi-Kenya
P.O. Box 30510
Nairobi, Kenya
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
