IIEC issues ban on media houses

By Beauttah Omanga

Media houses were taken by surprise with a directive from the Interim Independent Electoral Commission to stop forthwith airing or printing of any materials related to the referendum effective today.

The IIEC Chief Executive James Oswago sent out a terse short text message alerting the media houses against holding talk shows, adverts, statements or even interviews.

The SMS read, "Referendum campaigns end today (Monday), including Press talk shows, adverts, statements and interviews. It is illegal to publish or air such messages tomorrow (Tuesday)."

The directive means all media houses should not carry any stories related to the referendum, a move interpreted as a tall order.

Efforts to get clarifications from Mr Oswago were fruitless, as he could not be reached. Calls to his mobile phone went unanswered.