Kenyan government tries to stop live broadcast of ongoing protests for President Ruto to resign but editors of media houses refused

 In a dramatic turn of events, a Kenyan High Court swiftly intervened to suspend a controversial government directive that ordered all television and radio stations to cease live coverage of ongoing demonstrations across the country.

Earlier, the Communications Authority of Kenya issued a directive (Ref. No. CA/CE/BC/TV 90A), citing Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution and Section 461 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act. The authority argued that broadcasting the protests posed a threat to national order and contravened existing legal provisions. It warned media houses of regulatory action should they fail to comply.

 

However, local media editors rejected the order outright and publicly demanded that the government withdraw the directive immediately, framing the move as an attack on press freedom and constitutional rights.

In response to a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya, the Milimani High Court issued urgent orders suspending the directive. Justice E.C. Mwita, presiding over the matter, ruled that the petition raised significant constitutional questions regarding the right to information and press freedom.

The court emphasized the urgency of the matter and directed that all pleadings be served via email due to time sensitivity. Furthermore, the judge ordered that any broadcasting signals that had been disrupted as a result of the directive be restored immediately, pending further court orders.

 

This intervention by the judiciary has been widely hailed by legal experts, civil society, and the media as a pivotal affirmation of the rule of law in Kenya. The matter is set for further directions on July 2, 2025.

 

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