Communications Authority Switches Off NTV and KTN
NTV reported that its Limuru transmission station had been tampered with, although the station continues to stream live via its social media platforms, including YouTube.
Marvin Chege 
The Communications Authority of Kenya has taken NTV and KTN off air by disabling their free-to-air signals.
Both media outlets, in separate statements, revealed that the move came after they defied a directive to stop broadcasting live coverage of the ongoing protests.
NTV reported that its Limuru transmission station had been tampered with, although the station continues to stream live via its social media platforms, including YouTube.
KTN similarly confirmed being taken off air, but noted that its live protest coverage remains available on its YouTube channel as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) headquarters in Nairobi. /FILE
Citizen TV is still on air for now, but confirmed that CA officials have arrived at its Limuru transmission site. The station shared a video showing the officials' arrival with the caption: “Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) officials arrive at Citizen TV’s transmission station in Limuru.” However, it was yet to be taken off-air by the time of going to press.
As a result of the shutdown, only Kenyans with satellite TV subscriptions can access the affected channels, since free-to-air platforms like Signet and Pang are no longer carrying the two stations.
Just before the blackout, the Communications Authority issued a directive instructing all TV and radio stations to halt live coverage of the protests, claiming it violated Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution.
Earlier, Standard Group exposed that CA had ordered signal carriers to deplatform any media house doing a live broadcast of the demos.
At the same time, the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) condemned the CA's decision, terming the move illegal, unconstitutional, and a threat to press freedom. The Guild’s President Zubeidah Kananu, in a statement, said the move violates Articles 33 and 34 of the Constitution, which safeguard freedom of expression and media independence.
She dismissed CA’s claims that it was acting within the law, arguing that the directive distorts constitutional provisions meant to prevent hate speech and incitement, not responsible journalism.
At the same time, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Police Reforms Working Group, and the Kenya Medical Association also censured the CA directive, warning of its implications on constitutional rights, emergency response, and the potential misuse of state power.
The three organisations further put the CA and its CEO on notice of imminent legal action if the directive is not rescinded by 4 pm, adding that any move to shut down the internet would also breach standing conservatory court orders.
![Dennis Okari, Mark Masai Team Up For New Show After NTV Firing [VIDEO]](https://viraltea.co.ke/uploads/images/2022/12/image_380x226_6399d66349c9c.jpg){kind=small}
