Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) has ordered an immediate halt to live television and radio coverage of ongoing protests against the government’s proposed Finance Bill. The directive, issued on June 25, cites constitutional provisions and the Kenya Information and Communications Act of 1998 as justification for restricting live media transmissions during the demonstrations.
Following the order, major broadcasters including KTN, NTV, Citizen TV, and K24 experienced signal disruptions. Although taken off traditional airwaves, many continued streaming updates through digital platforms such as YouTube and Facebook to keep the public informed.
The protests, which erupted across Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Nyeri, mark the anniversary of last year’s Finance Bill demonstrations, which resulted in over 60 deaths. This year’s protests have been fueled by grievances over rising living costs, police brutality, and the recent death in custody of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang.
Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. Reports from Reuters and The Guardian confirm that at least 16 people were killed and roughly 400 injured, with most fatalities caused by gunfire from law enforcement.
Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have condemned the lethal crackdown and criticized the media blackout, describing the restrictions as violations of freedom of the press and the public’s right to information.
