Katiba Institute & KHRC Sue State Over Media Blackout Amid Protests
A fierce legal battle has erupted after the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) ordered a blackout of live protest coverage. In a bold move, the Katiba Institute (KI) and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have sued the government for switching off KTN, NTV, and Citizen TV.
The two civil rights organizations jointly filed an urgent Judicial Review Application at the High Court in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 25.
“Today, Katiba Institute and the Kenya Human Rights Commission have filed an urgent Judicial Review Application at the High Court in Nairobi challenging the unconstitutional directive issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya,”
read their statement.
According to them, the CA’s order to halt live protest coverage violated critical constitutional freedoms.
“This directive was swiftly followed by police raids on major broadcast transmission sites of Citizen TV, NTV, and KTN, leading to the unlawful shutdown of their free-to-air services,”
the statement added.
CA reportedly threatened to revoke broadcast licenses for any media houses that defied the order.
Rights, Law, and Precedent on the Line
In their filing, the petitioners highlighted that CA’s directive violated three fundamental rights:
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom of media
- Access to information
They cited Articles 33, 34, and 35 of the Constitution as the backbone of their case. Additionally, they pointed to Article 47 and the Fair Administrative Action Act, noting that the directive ignored the due process of law.
“The directive undermines previous rulings, including Republic v. Chiloba (2023) and Kenya Union of Journalists v. CAK (2024),”
the groups stated.
These past judgments had declared that CAK has no legal mandate to regulate media content. That role belongs exclusively to the Media Council of Kenya.
Call for Urgent Action
The Katiba Institute and KHRC are now seeking three urgent conservatory orders:
- Suspend the CA memo.
- Restore all TV and radio broadcasts.
- Block further enforcement of the order.
“Media freedom and the right to protest are pillars of Kenya’s democracy,”
the statement emphasized.
“Gagging the press violates not just media rights but also the public’s right to know and hold power accountable.”
TVs Off, But the Protest Lives Online
Following CA’s crackdown, their agents stormed Limuru transmission station, switching off the signals for KTN, NTV, and Citizen TV. This happened shortly after these stations continued to air live footage of the nationwide protests.
However, the blackout hasn’t silenced the protest. All three stations continue live streaming on social media, and those with satellite TV still have access.
“We urge the Judiciary to act swiftly to preserve the Constitution and protect the public interest,”
the statement concluded.ALSO READ: At Least SIX People Killed as Police Begin Shooting Protesters in Nairobi
Katiba Institute & KHRC Sue State Over Media Blackout Amid Protests
