By Salim Mutuma
Sixteen (16) Catholic Radio stations across the country risk being closed over non-compliance with Communication Authority guidelines and
non-payment of fees.
The 16 are part of the 106 radio stations that have been flagged by the regulatory body and which could have their license applications rejected.
The rejection of the application will be followed by revocation of the broadcasting frequencies assigned to the applicants, CA said in a notice dated December 22.
The radio stations include Waumini FM (Nairobi), Wega FM (Meru), Radio Shahidi (Isiolo), Jangwani FM (Marsabit), Upendo FM, Mitume FM and Kimuri FM in Embu County.
Others are Radio Tumaini, Osotua FM, Radio Arise, Bayana FM, Radio Domus, Radio Umoja, Radio Maria, Akicha FM, Jangwani (Maralal) and Thome FM.
Also on the spot are radio stations owned by Kenyatta University, Multimedia University, Egerton and Masinde Muliro University of Science of Technology over failure to comply with license offer conditions.
Chuka University Radio Station and Mwariama FM are among the 18 non-permit holders that have not yet applied for broadcasting licenses therefore operating illegally.
Others are Misoft, Rongo, Mawen, Edge, Ujuzi, Cornerstone, Redeemed, Kipkaa, Hometrack, Ron, Media 1, Ataaba, Haki, Neemali, Qoolly and Jokanyo FM stations.
Getu FM also risks having its license application rejected by the Communication Authority over failure to comply with licensing policies and non remittance of fees.
Meru’s Dontech Limited owned Thiiri FM, Zanira Company’s Mwariama FM, Radio Furaha, Wendo FM of Smart Wendo Limited also risk being shut down for failing to comply with the license offer conditions within the license offer period prescribed by the Authority.
The affected stations have one month to comply with the policies failure to which the Authority will bar them from operating.
“Failure to comply with licensing requirements as notified in writing within 30 days will imply that the affected party is no longer interested in providing the said broadcasting services and the Authority will proceed to revoke the assigned frequencies and shut down the associated broadcasting services,” CA’s Director General Ezra Chiloba said.
The Authority has cancelled licenses for 19 commercial TV stations that had applied for free to air licenses but failed to comply with the license offer conditions.
They are Smart, Shade, Youth, Nairobi, Ene, Pokot, Kiza, Halifax, Tuzungumze, Parastatal, Mother & Child, Equitorial Multimedia Group, Three Stones, Intelligent, Current Flames International, Taboiyat, Bazaar and Le Deux Republic TV stations.
