[Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta in a past event. He is said to have plotted blackout from media houses in airing swearing-in. Photo/Nation]
President Uhuru Kenyatta had warned media houses of severe consequences should they air Tuesday's swearing-in, Editor's Guild charman Linus Kaikai has revealed.
In a statement rebuking State House on Monday, Kaikai accused Uhuru of interfering with the freedom of media by threatening media owners.
"We have learnt just today that a section of media managers and editors wee secretly summoned to State House," he said.
Kaikai added: "At the meeting, in which William Ruto also attended, Uhuru expressly threatened to shut down or revoke licences for media houses that may air Raila Odinga's swearing-in."
But in a quick rejoinder, Kaikai's deputy Samuel Maina, has since rejected the claims insisting that it was a meeting between the executive and media owners.
"I want to clarify that the statement from Editor's Guild Chairman Linus Kaikai is personal and does not reflect the position of the organisation," he said.
So far, despite earlier indications that Uhuru Park would be a no go zone, police have since withdrawn from the scene under unclear circumstances.