KTN offices, CA switched off their Transmission waves on Wednesday, after defying their directive. Photo: Standard Digital.
South African politician Julius Malema’s party the economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Uganda National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) have condemned the directive by Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) on stop of live coverage of Wednesday protests.
On Wednesday, CA ordered all radio and television to stop live broadcasting of the protests across the country, arguing that the live coverage was posing a threat to the security of the nation, which they did not mention, and later switching off the transmission signals of KTN, K24 and NTV.
The authority’s was taken to court by Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and Katiba Institute, and the court suspended the directive by CA, which has since been defied, as the signals have not been switched on.
EFF said that the move by the government to stop live broadcasting of the protests was a misinterpretation of the Constitution of Kenya, terming it as desperate move by President William Ruto.
“In a further act of desperation, President Ruto directed the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) to ban all live broadcasts of the protests, citing a deliberate misreading of the Constitution, which protects freedom of expression and media independence,” EFF stated.
The party further accused the State of attempting to control the narrative, cover up state crimes and intimidate the rule of law through fear. Malema’s party faulted the leadership of Ruto failing to uphold dignity on human rights, and lauded and affirmed its support to the Gen Zs for their relenting quest to fight for justice and freedom.
“President Ruto has shown that he is unwilling to lead with dignity. The EFF once again declares its full solidarity with the youths of Kenya as we did last year in their fight against austerity through the Finance Bill,” EFF further stated.
Further expressing their solidarity with Kenya media houses, NAB Uganda calling out the Kenyan government for disregarding fundamental right of both Kenyans and the press to access and provide public with information respectively.
“We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Kenya. Media freedom is a bedrock of democracy, and undue interference with it is an attack on people’s fundamental human right. Live coverage of public demonstrations is a pillar of transparent and accountable governance and a fundamental aspect of the public’s right to know,” NAB stated.
Following the protests, 8 people were reportedly dead by Wednesday evening by Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR), with over 400 people injured including protesters, journalists and police officers managing the protests.
