The Prominent constitutional lawyer Willis Otieno has condemned the government’s directive to media houses to cease live coverage of the ongoing Gen Z-led protests, calling the move a direct assault on press freedom and a sign of deep-rooted fear of public accountability.
In a sharply worded statement posted on his X official account on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Otieno criticized the Ruto administration for instructing all media outlets to halt live broadcasts of the youth-led demonstrations sweeping across major towns in Kenya.
“This regime fears accountability. It fears the image of children running from teargas more than the violence itself,” Otieno stated, accusing the state of prioritizing public relations optics over transparency.
Otieno’s remarks come amid growing public outrage following reports that government officials had pressured media outlets to limit their coverage of the youth protests, citing national security concerns.
The Gen Z protests—largely leaderless but highly coordinated online—have gained momentum in recent days, with young Kenyans taking to the streets to demand government accountability, transparency, and an end to police brutality.
“President William Ruto, if your leadership can’t withstand live cameras, it has no legitimacy,” he said in a bold public statement, arguing that leadership which fears public scrutiny has no moral standing to govern.
He said media freedom advocates and human rights organizations have also raised alarm over increasing restrictions placed on journalists covering the protests.
Otieno warned that attempts to suppress the media would only intensify scrutiny of the government’s actions. “Gagging the press won’t stop the truth, it will only expose your fear,” he said.
The lawyer, known for his vocal defence of constitutional freedoms, emphasized that live media coverage is critical during moments of public protest to ensure transparency and prevent abuse of power by security agencies.
“These images are not just pictures—they are a mirror of what our democracy is going through,” Otieno noted in an extended interview with local media.
The govt directive
The government has directed all media houses to stop the live coverage of demonstrations commemorating the victims of the June 25, 2024 protests.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) stated that the coverage is contrary to the Constitution.
“The live coverage of the June 25, 2025, demonstrations is contrary to Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 461 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998. This is therefore to direct all television and radio stations to stop any live coverage of the demonstrations forthwith,” read the statement in part.
Furthermore, the Authority has warned that regulatory action will be taken against any media house that fails to comply with the directive.
“Failure to abide by this directive will result in regulatory action as stipulated in the Kenya Information and Communications Act 1998,” read the statement.
