Government Bans Telegram, Takes KTN News, Others Off Air Amid Crackdown On Live Protest Coverage
The restrictions drew swift condemnation from civil society groups, media organisations, and legal experts, who accused the state of trampling on constitutional rights to free expression and information.
The Kenyan government escalated its crackdown on media and digital communications on Wednesday, restricting access to the popular messaging platform Telegram and abruptly taking several major television stations off the air.
The move coincided with a nationwide ban on live coverage of anti-government protests marking the first anniversary of the deadly 2024 demonstrations against the Finance Bill.
The restrictions drew swift condemnation from civil society groups, media organisations, and legal experts, who accused the state of trampling on constitutional rights to free expression and information.
Global digital rights watchdog NetBlocks first reported the Telegram ban around mid-afternoon, noting a sharp and sudden drop in accessibility across Kenya.
“Live network data show a major disruption to internet connectivity in #Kenya; the incident comes amidst a deadly crackdown by police on #RejectFinanceBill2024 protesters a day after authorities claimed there would be no internet shutdown,” NetBlocks posted on X (formerly Twitter).
By 4:00 PM local time, Telegram’s reachability had plummeted to just one percent, effectively locking out millions of users from the encrypted messaging app often used to coordinate protest activities and share real-time updates.
Observers viewed the restriction as part of a broader effort by the government to control the protest narrative and curb citizen mobilisation.
The digital clampdown was followed by a dramatic broadcast blackout, as leading TV networks KTN News, NTV, and Citizen TV were all taken off air in compliance with a controversial directive from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
The directive, dated June 25, 2025, warned that live coverage of ongoing protests violated provisions of Kenya’s Constitution and the Kenya Information and Communications Act, according to THE STANDARD.
Citing Article 33(2), Article 34(1), and Section 46I of the Act, the CA accused the stations of potentially airing content that “undermines public order,” according to ChimpReports.
“KTN taken off-air following Communications Authority directive to halt live coverage of protests; but coverage continues on KTN News YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter platforms,” KTN News said in a statement.
Standard Group, the network’s parent company, rebuked the action, saying, “We will sue any signal carrier who switches our channels off air without explanation that can withstand the scrutiny of law, justice, and fairness,” the company declared, calling the directive “illegal and unconstitutional.”
Similarly, Nation Media Group, owners of NTV, decried the action as state interference with editorial independence.
“The shutdown of NTV is a direct interference with our editorial operations and a suppression of the media’s constitutionally protected role,” the company said in a statement, citing Article 34(2) of the Constitution, which prohibits government control over media content.
Royal Media Services, which operates Citizen TV, also confirmed the suspension of its broadcast, urging viewers to follow coverage via its online channels, including livestreams and social media.
The Communications Authority’s decision has sparked a growing constitutional controversy, with legal experts questioning the agency’s jurisdiction over broadcast content.
The CA has no powers to regulate or penalize broadcast content,” said a statement from Nation Media Group, referencing recent High Court decisions affirming that such oversight lies with the Media Council of Kenya, not the CA.
Media freedom advocates have warned that the government’s actions could set a dangerous precedent for censorship and authoritarian overreach in Kenya’s digital space.
They argue that the clampdown reflects a broader assault on civic liberties, particularly the right to protest, freedom of association, and access to information.
A coalition of media organisations has signalled intent to mount a legal challenge to the CA directive, potentially setting the stage for a landmark court battle over media freedom in the digital era.
Despite the blackout, protest activity surged across the country. Thousands poured into the streets of Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, and over 15 counties, demanding accountability for police brutality, economic hardship, and widespread corruption.
In Naivasha, demonstrators lit bonfires and blocked the Nakuru Highway, while in the capital, riot police cordoned off roads leading to Parliament and State House with razor wire barricades.
Kenyatta National Hospital reported receiving at least 10 injured protesters by midday.
Digital platforms and citizen journalism have filled the void left by traditional media, with livestreams and real-time updates continuing on TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram, despite the government’s attempts to limit access.
The blackout has drawn criticism from human rights watchdogs and foreign diplomatic missions, who see the moves as a troubling rollback of Kenya’s democratic norms.
“This is a blatant violation of the Kenyan people’s right to access information and freely express themselves,” said a Nairobi-based media rights advocate.
“Shutting down both the messenger and the message is not a sustainable way to deal with dissent,” THE STANDARD reports.
As pressure mounts domestically and internationally, media outlets and digital rights activists say the courts will be the next battleground.
“This is not just about journalism. It’s about the soul of our democracy,” one media executive said. “And we will not be silenced.”
