NAIROBI, Kenya – The High Court has extended conservatory orders suspending a directive by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) that sought to ban live coverage of anti-government protests by radio and television stations.
Justice Chacha Mwita, sitting at the Milimani Law Courts, directed that the case be mentioned again on October 27 for further directions.
The court noted that several applications challenging the CA’s controversial directive raised similar constitutional issues and ordered that the petitions be consolidated into one.
The suspended directive, issued in the wake of the June 25, 2025, anti-government demonstrations, had instructed all broadcasters to immediately cease live coverage of the protests.
The move sparked public outrage and condemnation from media rights groups, who accused the authority of attempting to gag press freedom and suppress public accountability.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which moved to court last week, argued that the directive was unconstitutional and in violation of media freedoms guaranteed under Article 34 of the Constitution.
The High Court granted LSK temporary orders halting the CA’s directive pending full hearing and determination.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, it also emerged that the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) had filed two separate petitions over the same matter.
Justice Mwita ruled that the cases be consolidated for efficiency, given the shared legal questions they raise.
