(Adds details from opposition leader, communications regulator)
By Humphrey Malalo
NAIROBI, March 23 (Reuters) - Four Kenyan members of
parliament were charged on Thursday with unlawful assembly for
taking part this week in protests against President William
Ruto's government over the high cost of living, their lawyer
said.
One person was killed and more than 200 were arrested during
Monday's nationwide demonstrations called by opposition leader
Raila Odinga.
The lawmakers, who included the leaders of Odinga's faction
in both houses of parliament, were arrested and then released on
bail, after being charged in a Nairobi court, their lawyer
Danstan Omari said.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Odinga demanded their
release. He also warned that threats by Kenya's communications
regulator to revoke the licenses of six TV stations over
coverage of the demonstrations amounted to censorship.
On Monday the stations carried live footage for several
hours including images of police firing tear gas and water
cannons at Odinga's convoy.
"The coverage depicted scenes that could cause panic or
incitement to the public, threatening peace and cohesion in the
country," the Communications Authority of Kenya said in a
statement late on Wednesday.
It added that failure by broadcasters to adhere to legal
obligations could lead to revocation of their license or
frequency.
Odinga, 78, has called for twice-weekly protests against the
government, citing the high cost of staples such as maize flour,
which has kept inflation high.
He also accuses Ruto of cheating in last year's presidential
election, the fifth in a row in which Odinga finished runner-up.
Odinga unsuccessfully challenged the result last year before the
Supreme Court.
(Reporting by Humphrey Malalo
Writing by Hereward Holland
Editing by James Macharia Chege and Frances Kerry)
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