Capital FM, NRG and Mbaitu FM are among 60 radio frequencies that risk being cancelled 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 began 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 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.
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:
