Govt shut down video dens, says PC

The government has claimed responsibility for a crackdown on video dens in North Eastern Province.

The North Eastern Provincial Commissioner James ole Seriani also reassured Multichoice Kenya, the operator of the DSTv channels and the locals that neither the government nor the clerics would interfere with the satellite broadcaster.

“I want to clarify a report appearing in both the local print and broadcast media that alleged that Sheikhs closed DSTv and video dens in Mandera. The truth is that the Mandera district security committee met in September last year and resolved to close all video dens,” the administrator said in a message sent out to the media.

According to Mr Seriani, the district security committee was targeting halls that show immoral videos, those that hide criminals and aliens, those that admit school children when they are supposed to be in school and those that operate without license or sell drugs.

“Let me emphasise that it is not the Sheikhs who banned the shows but the district security committee and DSTv has not been banned.”

The PC said the security team has no reason to interfere with DSTv because it only shows football, which he acknowledged was a popular sport in North Eastern.

He was, however, categorical that the provincial administration would carry on with the crackdown until the illegal dens are wiped out.

“We have the support of all the leaders which gives us the impetus to carry on with the clean-up,” he said.

The PC spoke as public anger mounted after reports that the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Mandera branch had shut down dozens of dens that air popular video shows and football matches in “support of Islamic teachings.”

The announcement came after dozens of clerics met with the provincial administration several weeks ago to demand a ban on the shows claiming they were spreading immorality and un-Islamic culture.

The action prompted football fans in the region to consider crossing the crocodile-infested River Dawa to watch games in neighbouring Ethiopia.

In Nairobi, the Supkem Secretary General Adan Wachu also distanced the organisation from the ban action.

According to Mr Wachu, the decision to close down the dens was not Supkem’s but the government's.

“Supkem like any other organisation has no power to ban the media from operation in any part of the country. That is the work of the Communications Commission of Kenya,” he said.

Mr Wachu said Supkem, the local Muslim leadership and Imams have raised more than Sh500,000 which they will use to compensate people whose businesses will be affected by the move.

The action was also criticised by Information minister Samuel Poghisio, who said residents of Mandera had a right to choose what to consume.