Kenyan authorities have shut down TV stations to prevent live coverage of a swearing-in event by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who boycotted last year’s disputed presidential election.

Several hundred supporters gathered at a park in central Nairobi, where the opposition event was due to take place.

The result of the August general election was annulled following allegations of irregularities.

Uhuru Kenyatta won a re-run in October, but Mr Odinga did not take part.

President Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term last November.

He warned the media not to cover Tuesday’s event and the attorney general said holding such a ceremony amounted to treason.

However, the main TV stations have been streaming the event on their websites and on YouTube and Facebook.

Speaking to Kenyan broadcaster KTN, Mr Odinga said the media ban “confirms the country has descended to the level of Uganda”, which stopped media coverage during elections in 2016.

He said his “swearing-in” would “show the world that what they are doing is legal, constitutional and not something that can be remotely describe as a coup”.

 Ends/BBC

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