High Court Overturns CA Regulation Prohibiting Live Protests Broadcasts
The High Court has overturned a regulation issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) that aimed to prohibit media outlets from streaming live protests.
Justice John Chigiti found that the instruction was illegal and unconstitutional, stating that it breached fundamental freedoms, such as the right to knowledge and media freedom guaranteed by the Constitution.
The ruling comes after the Katiba Institute filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of the CA’s move.
They claimed that the authority went outside of its mandate and attempted to unjustly restrict journalistic freedom.
High Court Nullifies CA Directive Banning Live Broadcasting of Protests pic.twitter.com/DxWHjhVa8F
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) November 27, 2025
In his decision, the judge highlighted that any restrictions on media operations must be consistent with constitutional norms and cannot be imposed arbitrarily.
The decision now authorizes media outlets to continue broadcasting live coverage of protests without intervention from the CA.
“The application has merit, as a result of which I issue orders as follows: an order bringing to this court quashing the decision of the Communication Authority dated June 25,2025,” the court ruled.
“An order of prohibition is issued barring the respondent from implementing the decision dated June 25,2025.”
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The CA announced the prohibition in response to allegations that the media was publicizing incidents of turmoil without adhering to the Programming Code.
Letter circulating from the Communications Authority of Kenya ordering media houses to cease broadcast of today’s nationwide protests.
— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) June 25, 2025
(If memory serves me right last year high court ruling stated that broadcasting code prescribed by the CA is unconstitutional…?) pic.twitter.com/zdPQXX1hGa
Human rights organizations, however, disputed this, claiming that it was an attempt to conceal governmental excesses and police brutality.
The judge also asked the National Police Service not to disguise the identification, registration, or marks of any motor vehicle utilized by authorities during protests.
High Court Overturns CA Regulation Prohibiting Live Protests Broadcasts
