The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has stormed the NTV and KTN transmission stations, deactivating the free-to-air signal and taking them off air.
In separate statements, both news houses confirmed that this was a result of them continuing to broadcast the live coverage of the protests despite an order from the authorities.
NTV confirmed that their Limuru transmission station had been interfered with, although they remain live on social media pages, including YouTube.
KTN also confirmed that although they had been taken off air, the live coverage continued on its KTN News YouTube page and Facebook and X platforms.
Citizen TV has also been taken off air after it was confirmed that CA officials and police raided its Limuru transmission station.
Sharing a video of the officials arriving at the site, Citizen TV stated, "Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) officials arrive at Citizen TV’s transmission station in Limuru."
This action means that only Kenyans with subscriptions to satellite TV services can access the channels, as free-to-air signals like Signet and Pang are currently not available for the two stations.
Moments before the signals were switched off, CA released a statement directing all TV and radio stations to stop live coverage of the demonstrations, as it contravened Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the constitution.
Read together, the two Articles allude to the fact that although press freedom and independence of electronic, print, and all other types of media are guaranteed, they do not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech, or advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others, or incitement to cause harm, or is based on discrimination.
Shortly after this order, the Standard Group released a statement defending its decision to continue streaming on its TV and radio stations, stating that it would consult its lawyers to establish the legality of this order.
It also confirmed that similar threats had been made to the broadcasters during last year's anti-finance bill protests that left at least 60 dead, who are being commemorated in Wednesday's protests.
Just as in last year's protests, casualties have already been reported, with at least one reported dead in Matuu, Machakos County, from a police gunshot.
