Nationwide planned demonstrations to honour people killed during last year’s anti-government protests have turned violent, with clashes between police and protesters occurring in Nairobi and around the country.
Over 60 people died in June 2024 as police opened fire on a crowd that tried to storm parliament in opposition to planned tax rises. The 2024 demonstrations, referred to as the ‘Gen-Z’ protests, highlighted rising discontent around corruption, unemployment, government excess and rising living costs. The Kenyan authorities’ response since the 2024 tragedy has further inflamed this year’s commemorative protests.
Marking the one year anniversary, live coverage of the demonstrations was ordered suspended on Wednesday and broadcasters were taken off air in an attempt to restrict the spread of footage of the protests and the ensuing police crackdown in Nairobi and other cities throughout Kenya.
“The live coverage of the June 25th demonstrations are [sic] contrary to Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 46I of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998,” read a directive from the Director General/CEO of the Communication Authority of Kenya, David Mugonyi.
“This is therefore to direct all television and radio stations to stop any live coverage of the demonstrations forthwith. Failure to abide by this directive will result in regulatory action as stipulated in the Kenya Information and Communications Act,1998.”
Latest reports suggest at least 16 people have been killed and many hundreds injured.
The African Editors Forum (TAEF) released a statement calling on authorities to “focus on ensuring that law enforcement upholds the rights of protestors and respects the freedoms enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution, including the freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the right to peaceful assembly.”
Echoing this, WAN-IFRA calls for the immediate reinstatement of live broadcasts to ensure that citizens remain informed of critical events, and urges the Kenyan government to do everything it can to maintain and protect media freedom, media independence, and the safety of journalists covering the protests and the authorities’ response.
“Suspending live coverage not only removes a constitutional right from Kenyan citizens but undermines access to critical information and contributes to a dangerous environment for journalists to operate in,” said WAN-IFRA Press Freedom Executive Director, Andrew Heslop.
“Professional news media play a crucial role in preventing the spread of misinformation by providing transparency and accountability across all levels of society. Removing the right to report the news sets a dangerous precedent and can only encourage impunity, suspicion and mistrust. It endangers the lives of those reporting the news and weakens democratic values at a critical time for Kenya.”