The Commission has expressed concern over the breach of frequency licence conditions by a few errant FM radio broadcasters in the country. 

The most notable breaches relate to violation of regulatory guidelines on effective radiated power, authorized transmitter sites, and timelines for deployment of services.

CCK Board Chairman Hon. Eng. Philip O. Okundi said today the Commission had already issued warnings to the errant broadcasters and would take sterner action if the situation persists.

“While the vast majority of broadcasters have been generally compliant with the said licence conditions, there are a few licensees who contravene the licence parameters, thus causing harmful interferences to other FM stations and sometimes to other critical services,” said Hon. Okundi. 

Hon. Okundi was speaking at the launch of Radio Maisha, a 24-hour FM radio station of the Standard Group, at the Standard Group offices in Nairobi. The launch was patronized by Information and Communications Permanent Secretary Dr. Bitange Ndemo, among other dignitaries.

The CCK Board Chairman acknowledged shortage of broadcasting frequencies, blaming it on anti-competitive tendencies in the broadcast media.  Hon. Okundi decried irresponsible programming by some of the FM stations in complete disregard of the interests of minors.

He said the implementation of the laws and regulations enacted last year would help address these challenges.  The new legal regime outlaws assignment of more than one frequency to one broadcaster in one broadcasting spot, and irresponsible programming.

Hon. Okundi assured broadcasters of the Commission’s commitment to the continued growth of the broadcasting sub-sector.
CCK has to date issued broadcasting frequencies to 80 FM broadcasting stations, 79 of which are operational.