Mixed reactions as Gov't hires DSTV to air William Ruto's inauguration

Mixed reactions as Gov’t hires DSTV to air William Ruto’s inauguration

Multi-Choice-owned DSTV has confirmed that a Pop-up channel will live stream President-elect William Ruto’s inauguration.

Ruto will be sworn-into-office on Tuesday, September 13, following the validation of his victory by the Supreme Court a few days ago.

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However, unlike other national events where the local media gets exclusive coverage, they will reportedly get a feed from KBC and multichoice, who will have the exclusive right to cover.

DSTV confirmed this development on Twitter, saying:

“It is true that there will be Kenya Presidential Inauguration pop-up channel 197, which will go live on 13th September 2022 and close on 14th September 2022.”

The broadcaster said the channel will only be available on the DSTV platform, not GoTv.

A section of Kenyans think that this was unfair to private media stations in Kenya:

Here are some of the reactions:

Alinur Mohamed: President William Ruto’s President’s communication team has hired DSTV a private media outlet to cover his inauguration on Tuesday. Local media which would have done a joint production at no charge will receive signal live from Kasarani Stadium from MultiChoice’s live feed.

This looks like a revenge by William Ruto on Citizen TV and NTV which Kenya Kwanza is saying were not fair while covering his campaigns! Those surrounding hustler William Ruto should not mislead him the way those who surrounded President Uhuru Kenyatta did. We will expose them.

Onorpik: Ruto with a subtle response to the biased media stations. Only KBC will cover the inauguration, if the other private media stations wants to cover the event, they will have to buy it from DSTV. Rumours that GOK ads will only be done through KBC.

Plo Sigei: KBC and pop up channel 197 on DSTV which will go live on Tuesday 13th. Government through KBC owns 40% of multichoice, so it is not a Private Contractor. So nothing private has been sourced.The rest like Citizen Tv will have to buy it from DSTV if they want to show Live coverage.

Atieno Nyar Asego: DSTV confirms a pop channel 197 will air William Ruto’s inauguration on Tuesday 13th.
KBC and DSTV’s channel 197 will have exclusive coverage of the event. Citizen TV are at liberty to air Assimio Petition in Hague. Or swear in their Candidate Raila Odinga.

Abdulahi Adan: Good morning KE. DStv channel 197 shall exclusively air the inauguration ceremony of H.E Dr. William Samoei Ruto. Freedom is here.

Cypy The Great: KBC and pop up channel 197 on DSTV which will go live on 13th September 2022, and it will close on 14th September 2022 will be the only stations covering William Ruto’s inauguration. The rest like Citizen Tv will have to buy it from DSTV if they want to show Live coverage.