The High Court has issued an order suspending, with immediate effect, a directive by the Communications Authority of Kenya to all television and radio stations, restraining them from covering the June 25, 2025, Gen-Z demonstrations.

In his ruling on June 25, 2025, Judge Chacha Mwita stated that he is satisfied by the pleadings in the petition filed against CA, that the directive they issued violates freedom of the media.

“Considering the pleadings, I am satisfied that they raise fundamental constitutional questions touching on potential violation of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution and freedom of the media, calling for intervention by this court,” Justice Mwita stated.

Further, Justice Mwita has also barred the Communications Authority of Kenya from issuing any other directive pertaining to any other demonstrations until the petition filed against its directive is heard and determined.

Judge Mwita also directed that all the broadcasting signals that have been switched off be switched on immediately.

“That any broadcasting signals that may have been switched off as a result of the referred directive be restored with immediate effect,” Judge Mwita ruled.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Kenya Editors Guild moved to court seeking conservatory orders to stop the implementation of a memo issued by CA directing all television and radio stations to stop covering the Gen Z demonstrations live.

“That this honourable court be pleased to issue conservatory orders suspending the implementation of the directive Ref No. CA/CE/BC/TV 90 A, by the 1st respondent (CA) to all television and radio stations directing them to stop any live coverage or the demonstrations of June 25, 2025, forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the petition,” part of the petition read.

They also sought to have court direct the Communication Authority of Kenya to restore signals of the TV and Radio stations that were shut down following the CA’s directive pending the hearing and determination of the petition.

The petitioners argued that the directive is undermining the freedom of the press, and the right to access information as enshrined in the constitution.

The matter will be mentioned on July 2, 2025, for further directions.