CA resorts to media censorship, order stoppage of live coverage of Gen Z protest anniversary
In a circular dated June 25, 2025 and addressed to "All Television and Radio Stations," the authority ordered immediate stoppage of live coverage and threatened that non-compliance may lead to switch-off under Communications Act, 1998
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has resorted to media censorship barring all live coverage of ongoing countrywide demonstrations to mark first anniversary of last year’s youth led protests that culminated to daring invasion of Parliament and left scores dead and tens of others injured.
The government has taken the drastic step amid rising tensions in Nairobi and other parts of the country where police officers are engaging in confrontations with those demonstrating against last year’s killings of those opposed to the Finance Bill.
In a circular dated June 25, 2025 and addressed to “All Television and Radio Stations,” the authority ordered immediate stoppage of live coverage and threatened that non-compliance may lead to switch-off under Communications Act, 1998.
CA Director General David Mugonyi stated that broadcasting the protests live violates provisions of the Kenyan Constitution, specifically Articles 33(2) and 34(1), as well as Section 46I of the Kenya Information and Communications Act of 1998.
“The live coverage of the June 25th, 2025 demonstrations is contrary to Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya,” reads the directive signed by Mugonyi.
Mugonyi warned that failure to adhere to the directive would lead to regulatory actions being taken against the media houses that do not comply.
The directive comes as protesters in various parts of the country have come out to mark the anniversary in huge numbers.
Mugonyi has directed all television and radio stations across the country to immediately cease live coverage of the protests or risk unspecified penalties.
“This is to direct all television and radio stations to stop any live coverage of the demonstrations forthwith. Failure to abide by this directive will result in regulatory action,” the notice added.
This is not the first time the government has sought to stifle live broadcasts under the guise of spread of “inciting and alarming material.”
In 2007, when Mwai Kibaki was sworn in as President to begin his second term in office despite protests over rigging by ODM’s Raila Odinga’s camp, then ICT Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo banned the broadcast of ensuring protests as the country was plunged into post-election violence.
The ban was, however, denounced by the Media Council of Kenya as a retrogressive and unconstitutional move aimed curtailing press freedom.
Then MCK chairman Wachira Waruru said the order was impractical and difficult to implement as call-in programmes and all news coverage at the top of the hour are covered live on radio and TV stations.
“We are not ready to comply with orders seeking to muzzle the Press. However, we are appealing to the Information ministry to withdraw the order,” he had said.
In 2018, following another disputed outcome in the contest between Raila and Uhuru Kenyatta, the CAK also Citizen TV, KTN and NTV’s live broadcasting of the ODM leader’s swearing-in as the People’s President at Uhuru.
The stations continued to stream footage online, albeit with some interruptions, showing a growing but peaceful crowd.
Before the symbolic ceremony, Uhuru had summoned media owners to State House, Nairobi, where he warned them against broadcasting the event.
In Nairobi, they braved the police barricades all over the major roads and got to the Central Business District (CBD) where they had been thrown teargas by the anti-riot police officers.
Senior political figures, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and his DAP-Kenya counterpart Eugene Wamalwa, were spotted earlier in the Nairobi CBD.
Kalonzo and Eugene laid wreaths outside parliament, where most of the youths were killed after invading the protected area.
Maraga, who addressed the Press moments after touching down in CBD, castigated the excessive use of force on protestors by the police, stressing that such actions contravened the constitution.
“We strongly condemn the use of state violence against grieving families and peaceful protesters. The flagrant violation of the Constitution and human rights must stop,” Maraga said.
