David Mugonyi is the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), a role he assumed on January 15, 2024. 

He has been at the centre of public backlash after issuing a directive instructing all television and radio stations to cease live coverage of the Gen Z-led protests. The order referenced Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution, along with a non-existent Section 461 of the Kenya

Information and Communications Act, 1998. He warned that broadcasters who failed to comply risked sanctions, including suspension or revocation of licenses and signal disruption. Following defiance from several outlets, including NTV, KTN, and Citizen TV, their transmission signals were temporarily shut down. This directive was lifted the following day, on June 26, 2025.

Before taking the helm of the CA, Mugonyi held several senior positions, including leading the Government of Kenya’s strategic communications for over 10 years. As the Head of the Presidential Communications Service, he served as the top advisor on communications, public perception, and reputation management at the national level.

Prior to this role, Mugonyi served as the Head of the Deputy President’s Press Service when President William Ruto was Deputy President. He was Ruto’s spokesman, becoming a key member of his inner circle to date. Before joining Ruto’s team in 2013, Mugonyi served in Parliament as the head of the press unit.

Mugonyi began his career in journalism as a reporter covering politics and parliament. Eventually, he held senior editorial positions at Nation Media Group (NMG), one of Kenya’s top media outlets. In 2016, he was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) by President Uhuru Kenyatta in recognition of his national service. He holds a Master’s in International Journalism from City University (UK), a Bachelor’s in Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Nairobi.