NAIROBI, Kenya – The Standard Group, a multi-media organisation which owns various media platforms, including the Standard newspaper, television stations (KTN), and radio stations, has hit back at the government over the ban on the ongoing June 25 Gen Z protests.
The Mombasa Road-based media house said it had seen a letter circulating from the Communication Authority of Kenya ordering all television and radio stations to immediately stop all live broadcasting of demonstrations.
“Whereas KTN and the Group’s radio stations, Radio Maisha, Spice and Berur have not received their copies of this order, editors from other media houses have confirmed that indeed this is the position,” reads a statement from the media house.
According to The Standard Group, further information from elsewhere indicates that the Communications Authority has ordered signal carriers to deplatform any media house doing a live broadcast of the demos.
“We are consulting our lawyers to establish the legality of this order, which aims to plunge the country into a news blackout. Meanwhile, we will continue broadcasting in the public interest until the legal position is confirmed,” the statement further reads.
How Africa Uncensored reacted to the CAK directive
In the statement seen by Y News, the media house also observed that this is not the first time that the CA is threatening to take TV stations off-air.
“Similar threats were issued at the same time last year, at the height of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations that saw protesters breach Parliament,” reads the statement.
Africa Uncensored has also strongly condemned the CAK’s directive to halt live protest coverage terming it an attack on press freedom and the public’s constitutional right to information.
According to Africa Uncensored, there is precedent that any attempt by the State to arbitrarily restrict media coverage, particularly of public interest events such as protests, is unconstitutional and violates both domestic and international standards of free expression.
“Media coverage of protests is essential for accountability, transparency and the protection of fundamental rights. Live coverage ensures that the public can witness events as they unfold, reducing the risk of the kinds of harms that have been witnessed in the past, fostering a more informed citizenry,” the statement further reads.
Why Communications Authority gave the directive
On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the Communications Authority issued a directive to media houses asking them to cease covering anti-government live protests.
In a statement seen by Y News, CAK Director General David Mugonyi said the directive was in line with Article 33 (2) and 34 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 461 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998.
“This is therefore to direct all television and radio stations to stop any live coverage of the demonstrations forthwith,” said Mugonyi.
Failure to abide by the directive, Mugonyi reiterated that this will result in regulatory action as stipulated in the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998.
“The Authority looks forward to your continued cooperation,” added Mugonyi through the statement dated Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
