Itumbi Defends Communications Authority CEO After The Standard's Headline

Itumbi standard
A front page headline of The Sunday Standard, and an insert of Dennis Itumbi on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
Photo
Kenyans.co.ke

Top statehouse personnel, Dennis Itumbi, has once again taken on The Standard newspaper over its headline terming the CEO of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), David Mugonyi, an "enemy of the press."

Taking to social media on Sunday morning, the Head of the Creative Economy lauded Mugonyi for his decision to shut down top television stations that were covering the June 25 protests live.

Itumbi further claimed that the decision had been warranted by some of the newsrooms taking the stance of political parties instead of reporting objectively.

"On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, David Mugonyi had to make a decision. When others chased chaos for clout, David Mugonyi chose country over cameras. When others chose hashtags and retweets, you chose to click Subscribe on +254," he stated.

ICT Chief Administrative Secretary Dennis Itumbi
Digital strategist Dennis Itumbi who was appointed as ICT CAS in March 2023
File

"That’s not censorship. It is courage. No Kenya, no newsroom. No country, no press freedom. For that decision, do not expect salutes and accolades at the moment, but eventually, the country will remember your bold decision."

In fact, he encouraged Mugonyi not to shy away from making the same decision again if a similar situation presented itself again.

Terming his actions as patriotism under pressure, he stated, "Like many other countries in similar circumstances, you made the right choice!" he concluded.

On June 25, a memo signed by Mugonyi directed all TV and radio stations to stop broadcasting the protests live, as it contravened two articles of the constitution.

"The live coverage of the June 25th, 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," it stated.

However, this directive did not bode well with the broadcasters, as they kept airing the live coverage, questioning the legality of the order.

Moments later, the free-to-air signals of KTN, NTV and K24 were switched off, despite claims that a 2023 High Court ruling by the High Court held that the authority did not hold jurisdiction to switch them off.

The Law Society of Kenya would later acquire conservatory orders from High Court Justice Chacha Mwita, ordering the authority to switch the stations back on, a step it would take a day after the protests wrapped up.

A signage showing the Communications Authority of Kenya
A signage showing the Communications Authority of Kenya
File