NAIROBI .
In a new twist of event in neigbouring Kenya , the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued scathing criticism of the media placing a banning all live television and radio broadcasting of ongoing demonstrations in the Capital ,Nairobi .
The move , according to Communications Authority of Kenya , Director General ,Mr David Mugonyi is aimed at taming the media from violating “constitutional and legal protocols” .
In a circular dated June 25, 2025, addressed to all broadcast media outlets, Mr Mugonyi said the live coverage of the demonstrations “are contrary to Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 46I of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998.”
He warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract regulatory action.
“This is therefore to direct all television and radio stations to stop any live coverage of the demonstrations forthwith,” Mugonyi stated. “Failure to abide by this directive will result in regulatory action.”
A few hours after issuing the ban , all television and radio stations that continued broadcasting live were switched off .
The ban comes amid heightened tension across Kenya as Wananchi mark one year since the deadly June 25, 2024, demonstrates against the controversial Finance Bill.
The demonstrations , which turned chaotic , claimed multiple lives and left a deep scar on the nation’s political landscape.
On Wednesday morning, protestors began converging in major cities including Nairobi, Kisumu , Mombasa and Eldoret , burning bonfires and the Naivasha-Nakuru Highway was blocked by protestors in Naivasha, paralyzing traffic for several hours .
In Nairobi, key access roads to the Central Business District (CBD) were shut down, forcing dwellers to walk long distances.
Roads leading to State House were barricaded with razor wire, while Parliament was surrounded by a heavy police presence.
Crowds waving Kenyan flags marched through streets in solidarity, calling for justice and economic reforms.
Activists also turned out in the counties of Busia , Makueni Kakamega, Narok, Laikipia, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Homa Bay and Machakos.
At least 10 people were injured and admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi by mid-morning, hospital sources confirmed.
Human rights organizations and opposition politicians have already criticized the CA’s directive as an infringement on press freedom and the public’s right to information. In a protest statement , the Nation Media Group which runs NTV Kenya , said its broadcast signal had been unconstitutionally switched off by CA .
“This action has been taken without due process ,following an advisory circulated on social media by the Authority instructing all television and radio stations to cease live coverage of countrywide anti-government protests ,” the statement reads in part
“Nation Media Group maintains that this move is a clear violation of Article 34(2) of the Constitution of Kenya , which guarantees the freedom and independence of the media.
Specifically ,the Constitution states : the state shall not exercise control over or interfere with any person engaged in broadcasting ,the production or circulation of any publication of the dissemination of information by any medium ;or penalize any person for any opinion or view of the content of any broadcast, publication or dissemination ,” it adds
The Media outlet stated that shutting down its TV station was a direct interference with its editorial operations and a suppression of the media’s constitutionally protected role to inform the public . A the time of the shutdown , NTV was responsibly covering ongoing protests ,a matter of significant public interest and a constitutional right of the people to assemble and express dissent ,”
The statement further said the recent High Court ruling revealed that CA lacks the mandate to regulate broadcast content .
“This authority has been constitutionally vested in the Media Council of Kenya.
The Constitution provides established mechanisms for addressing any allegations of unprofessional media conduct-mechanism that the CA or any aggrieved party should utilize to seek appropriate redress,”
On their part , the management of Standard Group said they were consulting their lawyers to establish the legality of the ban on live coverage ,which aims to plunge the country into a news blackout .
“Meanwhile ,we will continue broadcasting in the public interest until the legal position is confirmed . This is not the first that the CA is threatening to take TV stations off air . Similar threats were issues at the same time last year , at the height of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations that saw protesters breach Parliament ,”
Press freedom under attack Kenya govt bans live coverage of demos
NAIROBI .In a new twist of event in neigbouring Kenya , the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued scathing criticism of the media placing a banning all live television and radio broadcasting of ongoing demonstrations in the Capital ,Nairobi .
The move , according to Communications Authority of Kenya , Director General ,Mr David Mugonyi is aimed at taming the media from violating “constitutional and legal protocols” .
In a circular dated June 25, 2025, addressed to all broadcast media outlets, Mr Mugonyi said the live coverage of the demonstrations “are contrary to Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 46I of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998.”
He warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract regulatory action.
“This is therefore to direct all television and radio stations to stop any live coverage of the demonstrations forthwith,” Mugonyi stated. “Failure to abide by this directive will result in regulatory action.”
A few hours after issuing the ban , all television and radio stations that continued broadcasting live were switched off .
The ban comes amid heightened tension across Kenya as Wananchi mark one year since the deadly June 25, 2024, demonstrates against the controversial Finance Bill.
The demonstrations , which turned chaotic , claimed multiple lives and left a deep scar on the nation’s political landscape.
On Wednesday morning, protestors began converging in major cities including Nairobi, Kisumu , Mombasa and Eldoret , burning bonfires and the Naivasha-Nakuru Highway was blocked by protestors in Naivasha, paralyzing traffic for several hours .
In Nairobi, key access roads to the Central Business District (CBD) were shut down, forcing dwellers to walk long distances.
Roads leading to State House were barricaded with razor wire, while Parliament was surrounded by a heavy police presence.
Crowds waving Kenyan flags marched through streets in solidarity, calling for justice and economic reforms.
Activists also turned out in the counties of Busia , Makueni Kakamega, Narok, Laikipia, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Homa Bay and Machakos.
At least 10 people were injured and admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi by mid-morning, hospital sources confirmed.
Human rights organizations and opposition politicians have already criticized the CA’s directive as an infringement on press freedom and the public’s right to information. In a protest statement , the Nation Media Group which runs NTV Kenya , said its broadcast signal had been unconstitutionally switched off by CA .
“This action has been taken without due process ,following an advisory circulated on social media by the Authority instructing all television and radio stations to cease live coverage of countrywide anti-government protests ,” the statement reads in part
“Nation Media Group maintains that this move is a clear violation of Article 34(2) of the Constitution of Kenya , which guarantees the freedom and independence of the media.
Specifically ,the Constitution states : the state shall not exercise control over or interfere with any person engaged in broadcasting ,the production or circulation of any publication of the dissemination of information by any medium ;or penalize any person for any opinion or view of the content of any broadcast, publication or dissemination ,” it adds
The Media outlet stated that shutting down its TV station was a direct interference with its editorial operations and a suppression of the media’s constitutionally protected role to inform the public . A the time of the shutdown , NTV was responsibly covering ongoing protests ,a matter of significant public interest and a constitutional right of the people to assemble and express dissent ,”
The statement further said the recent High Court ruling revealed that CA lacks the mandate to regulate broadcast content .
“This authority has been constitutionally vested in the Media Council of Kenya. The Constitution provides established mechanisms for addressing any allegations of unprofessional media conduct-mechanism that the CA or any aggrieved party should utilize to seek appropriate redress,”
On their part , the management of Standard Group said they were consulting their lawyers to establish the legality of the ban on live coverage ,which aims to plunge the country into a news blackout .
“Meanwhile ,we will continue broadcasting in the public interest until the legal position is confirmed . This is not the first that the CA is threatening to take TV stations off air . Similar threats were issues at the same time last year , at the height of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations that saw protesters breach Parliament ,”