Capital FM, NRG and Mbaitu FM are among 60 radio frequencies that risk cancellation by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) for failure to comply with their licence offer conditions.
The decision was announced Wednesday by CA boss Ezra Chiloba, who said the agency has already begun revocation processes in accordance with the Kenya Information and Communications Act.
“Take notice that the Authority has commenced regulatory actions against the following listed broadcasters and applicants of broadcasting service provisioning licences for failure to comply with the relevant requirements as provided for in the Act,” said Mr Chiloba.
“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 licence issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).”
The radio firms have been given 30 days to comply with CA rules before it shuts down their respective FM frequencies.
"Failure to comply...within 30 days will imply that the affected party is no longer interested in providing broadcasting services, and as such, the Authority shall proceed to revoke the assigned FM frequency and shut down broadcasting services."
According to the CA boss, the decision has been communicated to the respective media firms in writing.
"Contravention of this requirement attracts a fine not exceeding Sh1,000,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both," the agency said in the notice.
CA is responsible for managing the country’s numbering and frequency spectrum resources.
Capital FM was owned by late industrialist Chris Kirubi who passed away in June, and has in recent years witnessed some big changes including a wave of high-profile staff exits and new faces being brought on board.
Other affected radio stations include One FM, Faith FM and Qwetu Radio.
Here is the full list of the radio stations hit by cancellation of licence offers: 1. Kesha 2. Winam 3. Radio Amani 4. Kalya Fm 5. Gulf Radio 6. Qwetu Radio 7. Vihiga Fm 8. Weather – Reports Realtime 9. Nyanam Initiative Cbo 10. Warsan Fm 11. Mbaitu Fm 12. Ruben 13. Hero Fm 14. Onagi 15. Kong’asis 16. Mwariama Fm 17. Kegocho 18. Mu Fm 19. Mmu Fm 20. Mmust Fm 21. Syokimau Fm 22. Radio Sahara 23. Egerton 24. Milambo Bajona 25. One Fm 26. The Just Liveth 27. Main Bridge 28. Radio Furaha 29. Kisima Fm 30. Ku 99.9 Fm 31. Emuria Fm 32. Risala Fm 33. NRG Radio 34. Thiiri Fm 35. Midnimo Fm 36. Radio Lake Victoria 37. Wendo Fm 38. Equator Fm 39. KIMC 40. Radio Sunset 41. Capital Fm 42. Radio Umoja 43. Southwest Media 44. Wajir Radio 45. VBN Fm 46. Kakuma Fm 47. Western Nyota Busia Fm 48. Voice Of Victory Fm 49. Simba Fm 50. Abba Fm 51. Makutano Fm 52. Wasya Fm 53. Midzi Fm 54. Faith Fm 55. Ref Fm 56. Radio Lamu Fm 57. Taraji Fm 58. Trichem 59. RealTime 60. Coil
*Story revised to indicate that the radio stations have 30 days to comply or risk licence revocation.
