Nairobi — The Government yesterday kicked off a storm after it dispatched engineers to shut down a local FM station broadcasting in the Kalenjin language.

Bomet Member of Parliament, Nick Salat , and Kass FM Managing Director, Joseph Towett, shortly after the radio station was closed by the Communications Commission of Kenya yesterday.

The closure of Kass FM 89.0 caused a stir in the political arena, with nine MPs calling a Press conference at Parliament Buildings to condemn the action which the Government said was triggered by complaints on the nature of the broadcast messages.

Engineers from regulator Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) drove to the station's premises with a letter slapping a seven-day off-air order on the station. They asked to be shown the general manager, Mr Joseph Towett, whom they gave a copy of the letter. The engineers - who refused to talk to journalists - gave the station five minutes to cease transmission.

The station will remain closed until November 23 - two days after the referendum - when its management is scheduled to appear before CCK to "show cause why your frequencies should not be revoked".

After the switch-off, the engineers walked to the satellite room where they disabled the broadcast equipment before driving off.

The letter, dated November 16 and addressed to executive director, Joshua K. Chepkwony, was received at 4:38 pm.

Writing on behalf of the CCK Director General, Michael Waweru, S.K. Kibe said: "The Commission has received some complaints regarding the nature of broadcasting messages being transmitted by your M/s Kalee (KASS) FM sound broadcasting service.

"The Commission also hereby summons you for a meeting in our offices on November 23 at 9am to show cause why your frequencies should not be revoked".

CCK called on Kass FM to submit transmission recordings for the past 21 days, which must be received by noon today. The MPs, eight from Rift Valley Province, said the Government was running scared ahead of the referendum.

They were Mr Nick Salat, Mr Charles Keter, Mr Bonaya Godana, Mr Billow Kerrow, Mr Sammy Ruto, Mr Gideon Moi, Mr John Sambu, Mr David Sudi, Mr Franklin Bett and Mr Paul Sang'.

They accused the Government of trying to influence the people of Rift Valley in Monday's referendum by closing the station.

They said the closure was triggered by a combination of business and political rivalry. A new station broadcasting in Kalenjin opened two days ago.

"CCK has infringed on the law by shutting down the station for a week without issuing a warning. That is the law," said Keter.

Kass FM general manager Towett said the Government action contravened the freedom of the press, adding that it was an act of intimidation.

"The hurried manner in which the Government has dealt with this station is political and aimed at harassing the community because of its stand in the coming referendum," he said.

Towett said the station had not received any verbal or written complaints from the Government concerning the broadcast content and programmes.

The station's employees were caught by surprise and could be seen frantically making calls.

Baringo Central MP Gideon Moi said the closure of the station was an exercise in futility. "We know which stations propagate hate campaigns. The act will not influence the referendum," he said.

Last month, Information minister Raphael Tuju tabled a statement in Parliament on FM stations said to be propagating tribal hatred, and Kass FM was not one of them.

Yesterday, CCK's letter referred to the station as one of those the minister wanted investigated.

But Salat accused the Government of supporting a rival competitor to the station.

Some Orange leaders had hours before the closure claimed that the Banana Group was jamming some stations.

Kanu Nominated MP Mutula Kilonzo said: "They (Banana) are jamming our communications".

Mutula was speaking at a press conference after a meeting of Orange leaders led by Cabinet minister Raila Odinga and Kanu chairman Uhuru Kenyatta.

Added Mutula: "They are also planning to use certain radio stations to announce fake results and to jam the frequencies of media that do not support their schemes".

Another MP, Charles Keter, said the Government wanted to influence the referendum by shutting down the station, which has been "carrying out civic education in Rift Valley'.'

Salat said the Government should have shut down FM stations fanning ethnic tensions. "There are many FM stations fanning propaganda on referendum. They are preaching ethnic hatred and nothing has happened to them."

Mr Sammy Ruto said the Government was interfering with press freedom.

Godana termed the move an act of bias. "It is motivated by nothing other than its influence on the (outcome) of the referendum. CCK is a public body, which should operate above board. They are either incompetent or acting under duress," added Godana.

Kerrow said the action reflected Government bias in the referendum.