The high court has extended the orders barring the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) from blocking media houses from broadcasting the protest live.
During the mention presented on Wednesday, July 2, Justice Chacha Mwita directed that the case be mentioned again on October 27, 2025.
The court stated that the extension is until the cases filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Kenya Editorial Guild (KEG), and the Katiba Institute are heard and determined.
On June 25, the groups went to court to challenge the CA's decision to stop live coverage of the protests and switch off free-to-air.
“Today, Katiba Institute (KI) and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have filed an urgent Judicial Review Application at the High Court in Nairobi challenging the unconstitutional directive issued by the CA, which ordered all television and radio stations to cease live coverage of ongoing public demonstrations,” part of the statement read.
The groups told the court that the CA's directive had contravened three key constitutional rights of Kenyans, such as violating the constitutional freedoms of expression, media, and information under Articles 33, 34, and 35 of the Constitution.
They added that the directive contravened the right to fair administrative action and due process under Article 47 and the Fair Administrative Action Act.
This temporary suspension came after the Milimani High Court on June 26 suspended part of a court order involving the CA, the State Law Office, and the Katiba Institute, stating that the main motion filed on June 25, 2025, was certified as urgent.
Justice John Chigiti temporarily suspended the stop of the CA from enforcing its ban on live media coverage of protests and prohibiting police from setting up barricades in Nairobi’s CBD.
He also sought the prevention of further revocation of broadcasting licenses and preserved the right to freely assemble and move without undue police interference after immediate relief.
Justice Chigiti added that the case involves foundational freedoms of speech, assembly, and media access, telling the lawyers that the court must apply an accelerated process due to the public importance of the matter.
In Chigiti’s ruling, the court ensures that any restrictions on media and movement won’t take effect until all sides have input and hearings occur.
