Communications Authority Revokes Licences Of 75 TV, Radio Stations [LIST]

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) announced on Friday, January 10 that it had revoked the licenses of 75 broadcasters, including television and radio stations.

The action took place after revocation notices which appeared in the Kenya Gazette from April to November 2024.

Following this, TV broadcasters, FM radio stations, a broadcast signal distributor, and a Subscription Management Service lost their licences.

“Out of the 75 revocations, 66 were due to non-compliance, while nine (9) were requests from the affected broadcasters to terminate their services,” CA explained in part.

SES satellites at a station in a photo taken in July 2020. /FILE

Among the broadcasters that requested termination of their services were Econet Media (K) Ltd, a Subscription Management Service, Kiss TV and Kwese TV which holds a Landing Rights Licence.

Others included Bamba TV, a self-provisioning Broadcast Signal Distributor, Switch TV, Mwinjoyo FM, KUSCCO FM, Tusmo FM and Radio Ashe.

However, television broadcasters such as Mwariama TV, Miracles TV, Magodo TV, Mugumo TV, Murata TV, Pwani TV, Rescue TV, Sauti TV, RTN TV, Lamu Youth TV, Madgot TV and Misoft TV were cited for non-compliance, thus stand to lose their licences.

Others in the same category include Mitume TV, Mugwe TV, Elgon TV, Mwanyagetinge TV, NEP TV, Mt. Kenya TV, CAN TV, Border TV, Fire TV, Biashara TV, Arimus TV, Health TV, Getu TV, Daesak TV, Ingo TV, Kilunda Television Network, Laikipia TV, Mwananchi TV, Mwamogusii TV, Biz TV, MMS TV and Kwese Free Sport.

Others include Kilimo TV, Kathus TV, Jubilee TV, Islamia TV, Christian Faith TV, Homeland Television Network, High Life TV, Health TV, Havilah Television Network, Harvest Family TV, Global Vision TV, Go Preach Gospel TV and FON TV.

Also listed include Ifortunes TV, Focus TV, End Time TV, Elimu TV, Dominion Broadcasting Network TV, Design TV, Brandplus TV, Clergy TV, Daystar TV Kenya, Njata TV, Utugi TV, TV Cosmopolitan, and TMN TV.

Radio Luhya FM, Nacex FM, Somal FM, Kihooto FM, Njata FM, and Sky 106.1 FM are radio stations that had their licences revoked.

In 2024, CA revoked the licenses of 426 service providers/operators in the Kenyan media and telecommunications industry. In a gazette notice dated October 11, the Authority published the names of 426 companies with their category whose licenses were revoked.

In April this year, CA shut down over 58 television stations and 6 courier companies for failing to meet required standards.

The authority has the power to shut down media-related companies mainly because of regulatory violations and breaches of broadcasting standards.

Inside a radio station. /HIVISASA