The judge also warned that any disobedience of the court’s directive would result in penal consequences. Parties named in the suit—including the CA—have three days to respond, with further directions set for July 2.

The High Court in Nairobi has suspended a directive by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) ordering media houses to cease live coverage of ongoing protests, in a landmark ruling that came amid widespread demonstrations and rising casualties across the country.

Justice Chacha Mwita issued the conservatory order on Wednesday, June 25, directing the immediate restoration of any broadcasting signals that may have been switched off due to the directive. He ruled that the petition—filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK)—raised serious constitutional issues regarding press freedom and the right to information.

“The matter calls for immediate action,” said Justice Mwita. “A conservatory order is hereby issued suspending, with immediate effect, the directive by the Communication Authority of Kenya to all television and radio stations directing them to stop live coverage of the demonstrations of 25th June 2025 or any other demonstrations.”

The judge also warned that any disobedience of the court’s directive would result in penal consequences. Parties named in the suit—including the CA—have three days to respond, with further directions set for July 2.

Shutoffs and Outrage

The CA’s controversial directive, issued earlier in the day by Director General David Mugonyi, warned broadcasters against airing live footage of the Gen Z-led protests, claiming it could incite violence and violate the Kenya Information and Communications Act.

Citing Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution, Mugonyi claimed live coverage risked “contravention of constitutional and regulatory provisions,” and threatened media houses with regulatory action, including revocation of licences and suspension of transmission.

Shortly after the letter was circulated, major broadcasters including NTV, Citizen TV, and K24 reported that their free-to-air signals had been abruptly shut down after CA officials allegedly accessed transmission infrastructure in Limuru.

The move was widely condemned by legal experts and media stakeholders. Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga labelled the directive “unconstitutional and retrogressive,” while the Kenya Editors’ Guild called it an egregious distortion of the law meant to suppress public access to real-time information.

Day of Rage: Protests Rock Cities

The ruling came as Gen Z-led protests swept across major cities and towns in Kenya to mark one year since the deadly June 25, 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests that left more than 60 people dead. Demonstrators took to the streets in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisii, Nyeri, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Naivasha, demanding justice for last year’s victims, economic reforms, and an end to police brutality.

By nightfall on Wednesday, at least 12 people had been confirmed dead, with more than 300 others injured, many from gunshot wounds. Fatalities were reported in Ngara, Embakasi, Molo, Matuu, Kikuyu, Juja, Ol Kalou, and Ongata Rongai. Among the dead was a Form Three student in Molo, shot while attempting to flee police gunfire, and a Kenya Power security guard, Fred Wamale Wanyonyi, who was fatally shot outside Stima Plaza in Nairobi.

Kenyatta National Hospital reported receiving more than 10 casualties by afternoon, with medical officials warning that the toll could rise. Protesters blocked roads, lit bonfires, and clashed with anti-riot police, particularly in Nairobi’s CBD, where they attempted to march on Parliament and State House—both heavily barricaded with razor wire and guarded by armed officers.

Chants of “Ruto Must Go!” and “We Want Justice!” rang through the streets, echoing the sentiments of youth demanding sweeping reforms.

Government Response and Public Concern

President William Ruto, in a brief address, urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and avoid destruction of property or attacks on law enforcement. However, human rights organisations say police used excessive force in several towns in violation of local and international laws.

The High Court’s intervention is likely to be seen as a victory for press freedom, even as tensions remain high and the public demands accountability for the growing number of protest deaths.

The protests appear far from over, with demonstrators vowing to continue their push for reforms, justice, and the protection of democratic space in the country. By Irene Mwangi, Capital News

South Africa’s sugar industry, which supports over a million livelihoods and underpins the rural economies of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, is at risk of being undermined by a flood of artificially cheap, subsidised sugar imports.  Image: Bloomberg

On the day Kenyans commemorated the first anniversary of Gen Z protests, the National Assembly was forced to prematurely adjourn its morning sitting over fears of a second breach of Parliamentary precincts by youth.

Earlier in the morning, Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had toured the area, which saw reinforcement of the precincts with razor sharp barbed wire. 

A morning session that had taken off under heavy police presence was prematurely cut off after business due to the absence of the movers of six motions and sponsors of four bills. 

The  morning session which is ordinarily adjourned at 1pm yesterday ended at 11:45am, an hour and 15 minutes before time. The Presiding Speaker David Ochieng was forced to defer the motions and Bills to another sitting.

Earlier in the morning the Public Investment Committee on Governance and Education chaired by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, and the Environment, Forestry and Mining Committee chaired by Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka were also put off.

Some motions that were to be considered included one on implementation of universal health coverage and of a policy on mandatory use of public health care facilities by public officers by nominated MP Sabina Chege, MP Tim Wanyonyi’s motion on formulation of a land use policy on zoning of land for agriculture and built development, and another by MP Abdi Shurie on allocation of HELB funds to support students enrolled at Kenya Medical Training College. 

Among the Bills up for consideration are The County Governments (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No. 25 Of 2023) co-sponsored by MP Timothy Toroitich, The Breastfeeding Mothers Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 8 Of 2024) by Sabina Chege and The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 21 Of 2024) by MP Didmus Barasa.

“The time being fifteen minutes to midday, this House stands adjourned until today 2.30pm PM,” said Ochieng. Parliament had been considering the Supplementary Budget Estimates III for the 2024/2025 financial year but by the time the House rose, only 10 MPs were in the chambers.

And immediately the House rose, long convoys of parliamentary staff and MPs could be seen yet again sneaking out the premises through the underground tunnel.

The Sh150 million and five-meter-wide tunnel that lies beneath a section of Harambee Avenue once again proved a welcome escape route for the MPs. Insiders revealed that an advisory had been issued to all MPs and staff on duty to vacate the premises “as soon as they could”. 

PIC Education and Governance Committee chairman Jack Wamboka said the committees had been cancelled due to the unavailability of witnesses. “We had planned to hold the committee sittings but our witnesses communicated that they could not make it given the ongoing protests,” he said.

The urgency, speed and fashion within which the MPs vacated Parliament however betrayed the fear reigning in Parliament yesterday. By afternoon, all MPs had left Parliament.

Within the precincts, armed officers run up and down fending off a section of youth who had tried to enter Bunge towers side of Parliament. Outside the main Parliament Buildings which were breached by protesters on June 25, 2024, were fortified with razor wire, with armed officers stationed at all access points. General Service Unit officers barricaded all round-about leading to Parliament road while helicopters could be heard flying above the august House in intervals.

At the same time, opposition leaders yesterday criticised the government over its handling of the protests meant to honour over 60 Kenyans killed during last year’s protests.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka led opposition leaders Eugene Wamwala and a host of other grassroots leaders in commemoration of the Kenyans killed last year.

Shortly before the laying of a wreath along Parliament road, Kalonzo held a press briefing outside the Holy Family Basilica church where he spoke out against state-backed killing of the youths and abductions that rocked the country.

"You cannot let gangs run the streets while police collaborate with them. We will not allow this country to descend into such lawlessness,” said Kalonzo.

“It is also wicked to abduct citizens without warrants. We must say no to this and seek legal redress where necessary,” he added.

Eugene Wamalwa said: “This level of deployment speaks to a paranoid regime…But as the people's opposition, we stand with the people and not the powerful.” By Josphat Thiong’o, The Standard