MPs blame government over digital migration row

What you need to know:

  • NMG Chairman Wilfred Kiboro told the legislators that the three media houses were not afraid of competition but did not want to present their content to a foreigner to distribute on their behalf.
  • Legislators also fault industry regulator over continued blackout.
  • NMG chairman objects to having a foreign firm distributing content belonging to local broadcasters.

MPs Thursday criticised the Communications Authority, saying it is perpetuating the digital migration stalemate by sidelining three leading media houses and siding with a foreign company.

The legislators said many Kenyans have remained in the information darkness after their favourite stations were switched off by the regulator.

They said they had pressed it to find a solution after the Executive and the Judiciary failed to end the deadlock entering its third week.

The lawmakers yesterday told the media owners appearing before the National Assembly’s Information Committee sitting at Continental House, Nairobi, that Kenyans were becoming frustrated by the black screens in their homes.

“Kenyans are really frustrated. I am speaking on behalf of Kenyans who don’t understand the technical things we have been hearing. The courts and the government have not been able to amicably resolve this matter. Parliament should find a solution to enable Kenyans to watch their favourite stations,” said Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi.

Nation Media Group (NMG), Standard Group and Royal Media Services told the committee that they had done as much as possible to ensure digital migration was as smooth as possible but CA put obstacles in the way.

“We are in a quagmire. We are in a situation we don’t want to continue to be in. Kenyans are asking many questions they want answered. They want to know what has gone wrong,” said Committee Chairman Jamleck Kamau, who later told the House he would present a report on the matter next week.

The lawmakers also criticised CA for allowing a Chinese-owned company to be in the frequency arena and frustrating the local firms that have made about Sh40 billion worth of investment in the industry.

“Kenyans have requested frequencies in other countries, including China, but were denied. How is it possible that we have now given ours to foreigners? Kenyans cannot get employment when the three are down.

“They are the ones to uplift others. They should have been given more time. They should not have been switched off,” said Karachuonyo MP James Rege.

FOREIGN DISTRIBUTOR

NMG Chairman Wilfred Kiboro told the legislators that the three media houses were not afraid of competition but did not want to present their content to a foreigner to distribute on their behalf.

“Our brands are strong enough to be able to withstand any competition that comes around. The government should be acting in the best interest of its citizens and protecting their businesses. We are seeing a government that is hell-bent on destroying our businesses,” he said.

Mr Kiboro said the regulator had targeted the three media houses for punishment for not willing to give their content to Pan-African Network Group, the Chinese company given a licence to distribute content belonging to local stations.

“CA is behaving like a prefect. It treats us like little children who don’t understand business and who should be punished. The role of the regulator is to manage the industry and facilitate it to prosper so that thousands of people are employed,” he said.

Royal Media Services Chairman Samuel Macharia said the set-top boxes currently on the market are for Pay TV and Kenyans would be forced to fork out money monthly to access local television stations.