Kenya Clashes: Protests rock Nairobi slum after TV stations shuttered

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The United Nations has slammed the Kenyan government after it defied a court order to keep three television stations off air. The shutdown has also sparked protests in the capital, Nairobi. CGTN's Chuck Tinte has the story.

Kenyan opposition supporters are furious. In the Kibera slum of Nairobi, protesters blocked roads with burnt tyres.

ELVIS OTIENO OPPOSITION PROTESTER "We demand that the internet is reconnected so we can follow what is happening online because they have shut down the television channels. Secondly, for them to re-open the television channels so we can watch because the channels don't make mistakes."

It's been four days since three of the country's leading television stations were taken off air by the government after they tried to broadcast opposition leader Raila Odinga's swearing in as the 'people's president'. A Kenyan court ruled that the ban should be lifted, but the government was defiant and deployed police to prevent the court order being delivered

RUPERT COLVILLE SPOKESPERSON, UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS "We call on the government to respect and implement the judicial decision. We're also concerned at its attempts to interfere with the rights to freedom of expression and association by reportedly warning that participation in Mr. Odinga's ceremony would lead to revocation of licences.

ARNOLD CHEGE NAIROBI RESIDENT "The government had its own reasons instructing the media houses not to air the 'swearing-in' of Raila Odinga. They were giving the reason for security, for the national security but the media houses ignored the order. I support. I fully support."

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Many Kenyans are also angry over the arrest of two members of the opposition who were standing beside Odinga during his swearing-in ceremony.

KELVIN MKANGA NAIROBI RESIDENT "When you make these things to look major in the eyes of the people, they will and it will have impact on the country. The economy will go backwards, we will not move forward. Now if they are arresting this people, do you think if they arrest Raila (Odinga) we are going to have peace in this country? No. Not at all."

The two men are expected be charged with treason and unlawful assembly. Chuck Tinte, CGTN.