The Communications Authority (CA) on Wednesday switched off broadcast signals in clear violation of the Constitution and a High Court decision in relation to the coverage of live events.

The order followed what media players consider unlawful direction by the authority for media houses to cease live coverage of the commemoration of last year’s Gen Z protests.

This is in spite of a High Court decision that CA has no mandate to regulate broadcast content.

Media stakeholders have described the move as an affront on press freedom and the right of Kenyans to information by a free and independent media.

We are aware that the dispute is now a subject of court litigation and have no intention of discussing its merits and demerits.

It is, however, a pointer to what appears to be a grave escalation of the sour relations between the State and the media. Journalists in Kenya are fighting suffocation by a failing regime that considers their work an irritant.

The political elite seem inclined to the unfortunate thinking that they should control what stories journalists should tell and how they should do it. But that is not the role of the media. The fundamental calling of good journalism is to inform and educate the people as well as stand up for them whenever those in power overreach themselves.

The media in Kenya has been steadfast in defence of our democracy and will continue to amplify voices of good in advancement of the public interest. It is a call for which we vow to be consistent, resilient, relentless, disciplined and unbowed. We will not let good causes lose as we are being told to do.

We hear the young people of Kenya saying they want decent jobs, better returns on their creative enterprise, fiscal discipline by a government that overtaxes citizens, a reliable health care system and honest politics. These are admirable conversations to drive.

It is a well-known fact that the majority of Kenyan politicians are motivated by very personal appetites at the expense of the interests of the people who elected them. The country is going through a sobering debate inspired by a generation that does not speak the same language as our politicians. We will align with the people.