Kenyan Government Shuts Down Telegram, TV Stations Amid Anniversary Protests

The Kenyan government intensified its crackdown on free expression and media on Wednesday by restricting access to Telegram and taking several major television stations off the air, coinciding with nationwide protests marking the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.

The move, widely condemned by civil society, legal experts, and media organizations, comes amid mounting tensions between the government and a resurgent protest movement demanding economic justice, transparency, and police accountability.

Telegram Blocked, TV Stations Taken Off Air

Digital rights watchdog NetBlocks confirmed the Telegram shutdown mid-afternoon, noting a sharp decline in connectivity. By 4:00 p.m. local time, the messaging platform’s reachability had dropped to just 1%, effectively cutting off millions of users from a key tool used to coordinate protest efforts.

“This disruption follows government assurances that there would be no internet blackout,” NetBlocks wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Soon after, a broadcast blackout followed. Leading stations KTN News, NTV, and Citizen TV were taken off air in compliance with a directive from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), which accused them of violating provisions in the constitution and media law by airing live protest coverage.

KTN News responded via social media:
“KTN taken off air following Communications Authority directive to halt live coverage of protests; but coverage continues on our YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter platforms.”

Media Houses Fight Back

The affected networks and their parent companies swiftly condemned the directive as illegal and unconstitutional. Standard Group, owner of KTN, vowed legal action against any signal carrier that disrupted their broadcasts “without justification that meets the test of justice and fairness.”

Nation Media Group (NTV) echoed this, stating:
“The shutdown of NTV is a direct interference with our editorial operations and a suppression of the media’s constitutionally protected role.”

Royal Media Services, which operates Citizen TV, confirmed the suspension but urged viewers to follow coverage via online livestreams and social media.

Legal experts argue that the Communications Authority overstepped its bounds, noting that regulatory oversight of content rests with the Media Council of Kenya—not the CA.

“This is not only unlawful, it’s a dangerous precedent for state censorship,” one media lawyer said.

Digital Resistance Amid Crackdown

Despite efforts to control the narrative, protest coverage persisted online. Livestreams and citizen journalism flooded platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram, countering state narratives and documenting clashes between demonstrators and police.

In cities including Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Naivasha, protesters blocked roads, lit bonfires, and faced off with riot police. In Nairobi, roads leading to Parliament and State House were sealed with razor wire as police moved to contain crowds. Kenyatta National Hospital reported receiving at least 10 injured protesters by midday.

Mounting National and Global Criticism

Human rights groups and foreign diplomatic missions have criticized the Kenyan government for suppressing media and free speech.

“This is a blatant violation of the Kenyan people’s right to access information and express themselves,” said a Nairobi-based digital rights advocate. “Shutting down both the messenger and the message is not a sustainable way to deal with dissent.”

A coalition of media organizations has announced plans to challenge the CA’s directive in court, setting the stage for a landmark legal battle over press freedom in the digital age.

“This is not just about journalism,” one media executive warned. “It’s about the soul of our democracy. And we will not be silenced.”