• The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) ordered all television and radio broadcasters to immediately cease live coverage of Wednesday June 25 mass demonstrations, marking one year since the 2024 anti-tax protests rocked the nation.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) ordered all television and radio broadcasters to immediately cease live coverage of Wednesday June 25 mass demonstrations, marking one year since the 2024 anti-tax protests rocked the nation.

The eve directive, which landed at midday, has drawn swift backlash from journalists, civil society, and political observers who warn of a dangerous precedent against press freedom.

In the letter signed by CA Director General David Mugonyi, media houses were accused of violating Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution and Section 46I of the Kenya Information and Communications Act. “Failure to comply shall attract regulatory sanctions,” the notice warned.

The move came as large crowds flooded major cities including Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru in remembrance of dozens killed during last year’s protests.

Security agencies blocked access to Parliament, State House, and key roads leading into the Central Business District, with reports of tear gas and running battles in several hot spots.

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As of the afternoon of 25, several people had been injured in confrontations with police, with unverified reports of gunshot wounds in Nairobi’s Mathare and Kibera neighborhoods. Protesters carried placards demanding justice for victims of police brutality, economic reforms, and the release of arrested activists.

Media outlets scrambled to adjust their coverage strategies. While major broadcasters such as Citizen TV, NTV, and KTN News suspended live feeds, many shifted to pre-recorded updates or turned to social media platforms to deliver real-time reporting.

The ban did not extend to digital platforms, fueling a wave of grassroots coverage via TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.

“This is not just censorship; it's an assault on the public’s right to information,” said Mercy Atieno, spokesperson for the Kenya Editors Guild. “The CA is abusing regulatory authority to silence the truth.”

The Media Council of Kenya issued an urgent statement calling on security forces to respect journalists and urging the CA to reconsider the directive, saying media independence is protected under the Constitution.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki said the State is committed to upholding law and order, but warned of “firm action” against unlawful assembly or incitement.

As tensions rise, attention now turns to whether legal challenges will be mounted against the broadcast ban—and whether the courts will once again defend press freedom in the face of creeping censorshp