A section of the public were on Monday night left in utter disappointment when NTV’s Press Pass show ended unceremoniously.
The Politics & Current Affairs show hosted by Mark Masai only aired for less than 10 minutes before it came to an abrupt close leaving Kenyans speculating on the reasons behind it.
In the brief moment, Masai read a statement from Editor’s Guild Chairman and NTV’s Managing Editor Linus Kaikai which indicated that Media Owners had been summoned to State House by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ordered not to air the controversial swearing-in ceremony of NASA leader Raila Odinga.
This was to be the main topic of discussion on the show as State House had also threatened to close any media house that airs the swearing-in.
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However, the show did not go on as planned and Pulselive.co.ke has just learnt on some of the reasons that caused the popular show be halted abruptly.
Sources privy to the intrigues of NTV’s newsroom divulged that some of the guests invited to be on the panel failed to show up.
During the 10 minutes, Masai also read a statement by former Daily Nation Managing Editor and Special Projects Macharia Gaitho, who was meant to be on the show, castigating threats allegedly issued by President Kenyatta. The journalist mentioned he would explain why Gaitho did not show up but failed to do so.
“Kenya Media must resist at all costs. Media Freedom in an inalienable right that cannot be abridged by State House. Media houses complying with illegal orders against live coverage of the will be willing participants in their own castration,” Gaitho said.
Speculations at the Aga Khan-owned media house also indicate that there is a conflict between Mr. Kaikai and NMG Editor-in-chief Tom Mshindi over the discussion topic which was to focus on the State House meeting.
Mr. Mshindi was among the Media Heads who attended the meeting at State House. Others included Media Max’s Ian Fernandes, Rose Kimotho (3 stones), Cyrus Maina (Capital FM) and Julius Lemaon (Kass Group).
On Tuesday morning, Citizen TV and NTV were shut down on all free to air platforms.