TV Signals Cut as Govt Moves to Block Gen Z Protest Broadcasts
Nairobi – Three main television stations ;NTV ,KTN and K24 were pulled off air Wednesday after the Communications Authority (CA) enforced a live broadcast ban during nationwide Gen Z-led protests an anniversary of the anti finance bill 2024 protests that claimed over 60 lives outside parliament building and left many injured and unaccounted following police abductions and forced disappearance of citizens who were vocal against the controversial bill .
NTV ,KTN and K24 confirmed their free-to-air signals were abruptly switched off. The move came hours after CA officials gained access to their transmission facilities in Limuru and cut their feeds. Both stations had been airing live footage from the June 25 demonstrations.
The blackout triggered swift condemnation from legal experts and press advocates. Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga called the shutdown a direct violation of the Constitution.
“This is a blatant breach of the Constitution and signals a dangerous return to state censorship,” Mutunga said in a public statement.
The Kenya Editors’ Guild issued an urgent press release denouncing the action. The Guild accused the CA of misapplying Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution, which protect the freedoms of expression and media independence. It called for immediate restoration of broadcast rights and urged Parliament and the Judiciary to open formal inquiries into the CA’s actions.
“Kenya must not slide back into an era where truth is silenced by force. Citizens have a right to know,” the Guild stated.
The Communications Authority has not responded publicly to the backlash. However, in a prior circular, CA Director General David Mugonyi had warned broadcasters against airing live protest footage, citing alleged violations of constitutional and regulatory provisions.
The broadcast blackout came on the same day as nationwide demonstrations marking one year since the deadly June 25, 2024 protests. That wave of unrest, sparked by opposition to the Finance Bill, left more than 60 people dead and saw protesters breach Parliament in Nairobi.
This year’s anniversary protests have seen large crowds in Nairobi and other major towns demanding justice for victims and reforms in governance. Protesters accuse police of excessive force and the government of silencing dissent.
The Kenya Editors’ Guild emphasized that the blackout undermines public accountability and erodes trust in state institutions. It also warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent for how future unrest could be hidden from public view.
No court orders were presented to the broadcasters ahead of the shutdown. Legal observers say this raises serious questions about the constitutionality of the CA’s directive.
As of Wednesday evening, no timeline had been provided for restoring the affected TV signals. Both media houses remained off-air on free-to-air platforms. Online streaming and cable access remained active, allowing limited audience access.
The situation continues to evolve as protests persist and pressure mounts on the government to explain its actions.
