Kenyan broadcasters have only days to apply for new licences
Photo/FILE
The sector regulator had given broadcasters three months to apply for the license, which expires on November 15, 2011. Mr Wangusi, however, did not name those who are yet to apply.
Over 26 broadcasters have until Tuesday to apply for new licences or risk losing their frequencies, the Communications Commission of Kenya has said.
The Commission’s acting director-general, Mr Francis Wangusi, said that out of 100 (radio and Television) broadcasters currently in operation, the 26 are yet to apply for licences, only three days to the deadline.
“We wish to emphasise that lack of a broadcasting license under the prevailing legal framework may result in loss of spectrum resources or withdrawal of the frequency license held.
‘‘This, therefore, means that failure by an existing broadcaster to apply for a license will be interpreted to mean that the broadcaster is no longer interested in providing those services and the repossession of the frequency resources held will therefore take effect,” Mr Wangusi said.
The sector regulator had given broadcasters three months to apply for the license, which expires on November 15, 2011. Mr Wangusi, however, did not name those who are yet to apply.
CCK’s notice also set conditions on which broadcasters may re-acquire existing licenses. Among the conditions are requirements that they be actively providing broadcasting services; that those who offer multiple broadcasting services apply separately for each service.
The CCK warning comes despite the Commission for the Implementation of Constitution coming to the aid of broadcasters terming the directive to have existing broadcasters apply for new licenses unconstitutional.
The Charles Nyachae-led commission wrote to the CCK on September 20, arguing that the directive was against the new Constitution, which rules out direct government regulation of the media.
However, Mr Wangusi maintained that the commission was operating within the law.
“The Supreme court is the only authority tasked with interpreting the Constitution. We shall reallocate the frequencies to new players in July next year when the current frequencies come up for renewal,” Mr Wangusi said.
