Capital FM, NRG, One FM among 60 radio frequencies that risk cancellation

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has threatened to revoke the frequencies and shut down operations of 60 radio stations over licence non-compliance. 

The stations which include Capital FM, NRG Radio and Mbaitu FM among others are said to have breached the Kenya Information and Communication Act following their failure to comply with the licence offer conditions within the period prescribed by the authority.  

“In accordance with section 46C of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, it is illegal to provide any form of broadcasting service in Kenya without a license issued by the communications authority of Kenya (CA),” the authority’s Director General Ezra Chiloba said in a notice published on Wednesday.

“Contravention of this requirement attracts a fine not exceeding Ksh.1,000, 000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.”

CA has since given the stations 30 days to comply to the licensing regulations, failure to which their frequencies will be abolished and all broadcasting services will be shut down.

“Take further notice that failure to comply with licensing requirements as notified in writing to each broadcaster and applicant listed in this notice within 30 days will imply that the affected party is no longer interested in providing the said broadcasting services,” Chiloba added.

“The Authority shall proceed to revoke the assigned FM frequency (s) and shut down the associated broadcasting services without further reference to the broadcaster or the applicant.”

The authority singled out Koch FM, Serian, Rware and Western for operating with expired broadcast permits.

The CA also listed 18 more broadcasters as non-permit holders who have failed to apply for broadcasting licenses.

They are Misoft, Ujuzi, Atlantic Edge, Cornerstone, Rongo, Redeeemd, Ron, Qooly, Mwarima FM, Media 1, Mawen, Kipkaa, Jokanyo, Neemali, Hometrack, Chuka University, Ataaba and Haki FM.

Radio Mikayi, Thayu FM, Getu Fm, Mitume, Kimuri, Radio Tumaini, Osotua, Radio Rise, Bayana FM, Wega FM, Peace FM, Thome , Radio Waumini and Sogot FM among others have also been included in a 24-station list for failing to remit regulatory fees to the communications regulator.

The license offers for 19 applicants, who had applied for commercial free to air television licenses but failed to comply with the CA’s requirements, were similarly cancelled.

They include Shade TV, Ene TV, Youth TV, Nairobi TV, Pokot TV, Bururi TV, Smart TV, Three Stones TV, Mother & Child TV and Bazaar TV among others.

The license offers of three applicants who had applied for subscription broadcasting service licenses have also been cancelled by CA.

They are Lancia Digital Broadcast Limited, Raia Television Network and Qatken Digital Limited.