LSK to CA: Reinstate broadcast signals or face prosecution

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo. /FILE

The Law Society of Kenya has urged the Communications Authority to immediately comply with a court order suspending a ban on live television and radio coverage of ongoing protests.

LSK president Faith Odhiambo, in a social media statement, cautioned that the CA leadership risk legal action for contempt of court if they disregard the order.

“The Law Society has obtained conservatory orders suspending the punitive, arbitrary and illegal directive by the CA,” Odhiambo stated.

“The CA must forthwith reinstate all signals it shut down on Wednesday. Contempt of this order will be met with full prosecution of the leadership of CA.”

The High Court order, issued by Justice Chacha Mwita, came in response to a petition filed by the LSK.

“I am satisfied that the pleadings raise fundamental constitutional questions touching on potential violation of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution and freedom of the media, calling for intervention by this court,” Justice Mwita ruled.

The conservatory order suspends, with immediate effect, the CA directive Ref No. CA/CE/BC/TV90A—or any similar directive—until the petition is heard and determined.

CA’s controversial directive to broadcasters to cease live coverage of the June 25 protests was met with immediate backlash from media houses and civil society groups.

The Authority cited concerns over public order and national security, but critics said the move was an attack on press freedom and the public’s right to information.

“The live coverage of the June 25, 2025 demonstrations are contrary to Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 461 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998,” a statement signed by Dirctor General David Mugonyi read.

“This is therefore 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 statement warned that failure to comply would result in regulatory action as stipulated by law.

Major media outlets were affected by the crackdown. Nation Media Group reported that its flagship station, NTV, was unlawfully taken off-air by CA.

Standard Group’s KTN also reported going off-air after it refused to comply with CA's directive.

Both stations were beaming real-time coverage of the protests that swept across the country, marking the first anniversary of the Gen Z-led anti-Finance Bill revolt of June, 2024.

“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,” Nation Media Group said in a statement.