KTN off-air after CA live coverage ban

A group of Kenyans protesting on Wednesday, June 25, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI

KTN has been taken off-air following a directive from the Communications Authority (CA) to suspend live coverage of the ongoing Gen-Z protests.

The Standard Group, which owns KTN, confirmed the development on Wednesday, denouncing the directive as unconstitutional and an infringement on press freedom.

The media house said its live coverage remains accessible through digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, even as its terrestrial signal is cut.

“We are aware that the CA has also ordered signal carriers to go offline and deplatform any media house doing live broadcast of the demos,” the statement noted.

Standard Group said the move flies in the face of Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution, which safeguard freedom of expression and the media.

They added that the authority is acting beyond its mandate.

“The Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA) of 1998 does not give the CA the mandate or authority to act as threatened,” the statement read.

The group warned that it will pursue legal action if any signal distributor disconnects their broadcast without legal justification.

It emphasised that existing contractual obligations should be respected and any breach would prompt legal proceedings, including compensation claims.

Standard urged the CA to withdraw it and instead uphold the law and constitutional principles.

The company reiterated its commitment to informing the public.

The authority had ordered all television and radio stations to cease live coverage of the ongoing June 25, 2025, demonstrations across the country.

 “The live coverage of the June 25, 2025, demonstrations is contrary to Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 461 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act,” they said in a statement.

In a joint statement, a section of civil groups comprising the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) and Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) condemned the CA’s order, which instructs media houses to cease live coverage of the Gen Z-led demonstrations taking place across the country.

"Failure to abide by this directive will result in regulatory action," said CA Director General David Mugonyi, citing Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 461 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, as the legal basis for the ban.