Kenya
Kenyan police summoned over raid at radio station

afrol News, 1 May - Police officers who raided Citizen radio and TV station on 25 April 2001 have been summoned to appear in court next week to explain why they vandalised the Royal Media Service's broadcasting equipment, according to the Network for the Defence of Independent Media in Africa (NDIMA).

Citizen Radio and TV station has been off the air since 26 April when their offices at Ambank House Nairobi were raided by police and Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) personnel who confiscated broadcasting equipment. 

Commercial judge Peter Hewett, sitting at the Milimani Courts, in Nairobi, issued the orders after hearing an application from Royal Media Service's lawyers Gibson Kamau Kuria and Mwaniki Gachoka. The lawyers were seeking orders to enjoin the police officers in the suit filed against Telkom Kenya, CCK, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation and the Attorney-General. 

Royal Media owner S. K. Macharia also wants the police and the CCK restricted from interfering with its broadcasting equipment. 

Kuria told the judge that Mr Ettyang and a Mr Omo misled a chief magistrate's court to obtain search warrants that were used to dismantle the equipment. He said the officers did not tell the court that Royal Media had written a letter indicating it intended to move its broadcasting equipment from Limuru to Karen. 

The hearing continues on 14 May, NDIMA reports.

Sources: Based on IFEX/NDIMA

© afrol.com    You can contact us at mail@afrol.com