The High Court has urged petitioners, the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Media Lawyers Association of Kenya, to consolidate their efforts in challenging the Communications Authority of Kenya’s directive banning live media coverage of the June 25 protests.
During proceedings on Wednesday, Justice Chacha Mwita questioned the need for multiple petitions with similar objectives, noting that the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) had already filed a related case.
“Put your efforts together. Don’t split your efforts. It’s not about the number of petitions but the substance,” Justice Mwita emphasised, urging the petitioners to consolidate their cases.
The petitioners’ counsel, Ibrahim Oduor, expressed willingness to join the LSK and KEG petition as co-petitioners.
However, the judge raised concerns over procedural issues.
He emphasised that consolidation could not proceed unless proper service of court documents had been effected.
“I cannot consolidate a matter that has not been served with a matter that has made progress,” he said.
“I am not satisfied that the pleadings therein are served. Let pleadings be served,” Justice Mwita ruled.
The judge also questioned the coordination among petitioners.
He advised them to amend their petition and focus on the substance.
“This would help reduce the number of cases,” he said.
The petitions arose following the Communications Authority’s controversial directive to halt live coverage of the June 25, 2025, protests, which affected several major media houses and was widely criticised for violating freedom of expression.
The court had previously issued a conservatory order suspending the directive, pending a full hearing.
The petitioners argue the directive was unconstitutional, citing violations of press freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to access information as protected by the Constitution.
Although the affected media houses have since resumed broadcasting following interim court orders, the petitioners maintain that the attempted blackout set a dangerous precedent that warrants judicial scrutiny.
The matter is set to return on October 27, 2025.
