In an unprecedented clampdown on media freedom, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) raided major broadcasting transmission sites on Tuesday, disrupting free-to-air signals and silencing live coverage of nationwide anti-government protests.

The move marked an aggressive enforcement of a controversial directive banning live broadcasts of the "Justice for Our Mashujaa" demonstrations.

Leading media houses, including NTV, KTN and Citizen TV, reported that their broadcast signals had been interfered with or switched off by CA officials.

The blackout followed an earlier advisory, circulated on social media, directing all television and radio stations to cease live transmission of the protests.

Nation Media Group (NMG) confirmed that the signal for its station NTV had been taken off air “unconstitutionally” and without due process.

“This action has been taken without due process, following an advisory circulated on social media by the authority instructing all television and radio stations to cease live coverage of countrywide anti-government protests,” said NMG.

The media house decried the shutdown as a violation of Article 34(2) of the Constitution, which explicitly prohibits state control or interference in media operations.

“Specifically, the Constitution states the state shall not exercise control over or interfere with any person engaged in broadcasting or penalise any person for any opinion or view or the content of any broadcast,” NMG said.

The group also referenced a High Court ruling that stripped CA of powers to regulate broadcast content, noting that such authority lies with the Media Council of Kenya.

“The shutdown of NTV is therefore a direct interference with our editorial operations and a suppression of the media’s constitutionally protected role to inform the public. At the time of the shutdown, NTV was responsibly covering ongoing protests, a matter of significant public interest,” the statement added, urging viewers to continue accessing NTV content via YouTube and social media. NMG said it would seek legal redress.

KTN, under the Standard Group, confirmed its signal had also been interfered with.

“KTN taken off-air following Communications Authority directive to halt live coverage of protests; but coverage continues on KTN News YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter platforms,” the station posted.

Earlier, Standard Group said it had not formally received the directive, but had verified its existence through fellow editors. It accused CA of instructing signal carriers to deplatform any station airing the protests live.

“We are consulting our lawyers to establish the legality of this order, which aims to plunge the country into a news blackout,” the company stated, vowing to keep informing the public until the matter is clarified legally.

Citizen TV also confirmed that CA officials had accessed its transmission site in Limuru, but did not specify the extent of interference.

The shutdown sparked widespread condemnation from civil society groups, legal experts, and media organisations who described the move as unconstitutional, repressive and dangerous to democratic space.

The Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) slammed CA’s action as a breach of press freedom and defiance of court rulings.

“CA’s claim that it is acting under Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution is legally and factually flawed. These provisions protect free expression, not prohibit it,” said KEG President Zubeidah Kananu.

KEG cited a 2023 High Court judgment in Kenya Editors’ Guild & Others v Communications Authority & Others, which barred CA from interfering with live broadcasts and reaffirmed editorial independence.

“By ignoring this ruling, CA is actively undermining judicial authority and reopening the door to unconstitutional state censorship,” KEG warned, calling on Parliament and the Judiciary to investigate CA’s conduct.

Other groups, including the Law Society of Kenya, Police Reforms Working Group, and Kenya Medical Association, warned that the directive threatened constitutional freedoms, national stability, and public safety.

“This directive is a misinterpretation of constitutional provisions and a dangerous step towards suppressing fundamental freedoms in Kenya,” they said.

The organisations defended live protest coverage, arguing that it does not constitute propaganda or incitement. “Live broadcasts serve a crucial role in a democratic society.

This transparency is vital in preventing the spread of misinformation and rumours,” they stated. They warned that shutting down media or the internet would hinder emergency medical responses and violate citizens’ rights under Article 29.

They gave CA until 4 pm Wednesday to reverse the directive or face institutional and personal legal action.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Media Sector Working Group (KMSWG) condemned the shooting of NTV journalist Ruth Sarmwei with a rubber bullet while she covered the protests.

“Switching off the media is not a solution. These are outdated and unproductive decisions that can only aggravate the matter,” the group said.

KMSWG called on CA to respect the Constitution, obey court rulings, and refrain from disrupting internet access, warning that such moves would violate multiple constitutional rights and set a dangerous precedent for press freedom in Kenya