The Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal gave the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) the go ahead to revoke six Standard Media Group’s broadcasting licences over arears amounting to Sh48.8 million.
The tribunal dismissed an appeal by The Standard Media Group PL.C, asserting that the impending revocation was lawful, valid, and in accordance with the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA).
The tribunal cited the media group’s failure to pay outstanding annual licence fees and the Universal Service Fund Levy over several years, despite subsequent notices of revocation by the Authonty, as stipulated under the licensing terms and conditions.
The six licences included Vybez Radio, Berur FM, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, KTN Burudani, and KTN News.
The licences require annual remittance of fees and levies, conditions which the Standard Media Group failed to meet despite several extensions and concessions by the Authority.
The licensee was issued a Notice of Contravention of license terms and conditions, which ran for Forty-Five (45) days from December 4, 2023, and lapsed on January 17, 2024.
On September 24, 2024, noting the non-clearance of the outstanding Regulatory fees and the expiry of the Notices of Contravention.
The Authority issued Notices of Revocation to all Standard Group PLC stations.
The CA had previously indulged Standard Group in meetings held on June 14, 2023, December 4t, 2023, and February 9, 2024 on non-payment of regulatory fees owed to the Authority.
On April 9, 2025, CA informed Standard Group that following lapse of the revocation notices which had expired on March 24, 2025, the Authority is progressing to publish a notification on the revocation of all broadcast licences issued to Standard Group in the Kenya Gazette.
The outstanding amount is currently Sh48,874,524.10 comprising Icence fees of Sh13,880,334.37 and USF levy of Sh34 million.
In its appeal, The Standard Medra Group did not contest the debt but asserted the existence of an agreement entered on December 24, 2024 outlining a payment plan with an initial settlement of Sh10 million, a further Sh3million upon finalizing a rights issue, and monthly payments thereafter the Standard Media Group argued that the Authority’s issuance or revocation notes breached this
agreement and acted in bad faith, violating fundamental constitutional rights related to freedom of expression and public communication.
The tribunal upheld that the Authority had given multiple opportunities over a sustained period for the Standard Media Group to regularize its position, and that regulatory obligations under KICA were clear and non-negotiable.
The tribunal affirmed that broadcasting frequencies are scarce public resources regulated strictly under statutory frameworks, underscoring that public bodies must exercise regulatory powers reasonably and transparently.
The court dismissed claims that the revocation breached principles of natural justice and proportionality, noting that the media bouse had ample notice and opportunities to comply.
Additionally, the tribunal upheld the presumption of constitutionality of the regulatory regime empowering the Authority to enforce licence conditions, reiterating that legitimate expectations cannot override statutory duties.
The tribunal dismissed the appeal and awarded costs to the Authority, underscoring the importance of compliance with licensing conditions as fundamental to the orderly administration of the broadcasting sector in Kenya.
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