The High Court has overturned a government directive that prohibited live coverage of the June 25, 2025, demonstrations, in a landmark ruling reinforcing media freedom and citizens’ rights.
Justice John Chigiti ruled that the Communications Authority (CA) had acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally, quashing the directive and barring any state agency from enforcing similar orders in the future. The ruling came after the Katiba Institute, alongside the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Kenya Editors Guild (KEG), challenged the directive, arguing it violated Articles 33, 34, and 35 of the Constitution covering freedoms of expression, media, and information.
The CA had earlier instructed all television and radio stations to stop live broadcasts of the protests, claiming the coverage contravened Section 461 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act. Director General David Mugonyi warned that noncompliance would trigger regulatory action.
The High Court ruling now restores media independence during demonstrations and protects the public’s constitutional rights to access information. Civil society groups have welcomed the decision as a victory for transparency, accountability, and democratic governance, ensuring that future protests can be covered without fear of arbitrary government interference.
