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Communications Authority of Kenya Revokes 75 Broadcaster Licenses in 2024

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Communications Authority of Kenya Revokes 75 Broadcaster Licenses in 2024

In 2024 the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) made a big move and revoked 75 licenses held by various broadcasters for breaching their licenses. This was communicated through two Kenya Gazette notices in April and November 2024. This affected TV and FM broadcasters, a signal distributor and a subscription management service.

Background and Regulatory Mandate

Under Kenyan law the CA has the mandate to issue licenses for broadcasting services that require frequency allocation (TV and radio stations) and those that don’t (cable TV and subscription management services). This is to ensure broadcasters operate within the set guidelines and if they don’t their licenses can be revoked.

The April revocation saw the highest number of broadcasters affected with 56 licenses revoked. 19 licenses were revoked in November. The main reason was non-compliance with licensing requirements but some broadcasters opted to terminate their services voluntarily.

April 2024 License Revocations

56 licenses were revoked in April 2024. Below is a summary of the affected broadcasters:

IDLicensee NameServiceReason
1Zanira Company LtdMwaria TVNon-compliance
2BClimax Africa LimitedMiracles TVNon-compliance
3Christian Broadcasting Network LtdMagodo TVNon-compliance
4Parallel Media LtdMugumo TVNon-compliance
5Petanns Driving School and Computer College LtdMurata TVNon-compliance
6Pwani Media Group LtdPwani TVNon-compliance
7Rescue Media Group Services LtdRescue TVNon-compliance
8Sauti ya Mwananchi Radio & Television NetworkSauti TVNon-compliance
9Himilo TV Company LtdRTN TVNon-compliance
10Lamu Youth AllianceLamu Youth TVNon-compliance

The list also includes other notable broadcasters such as Madgoat Television Ltd, NEP Media Services Ltd and Kwese TV Kenya Ltd. The revoked broadcasters were mostly non-compliant.

November 2024 License Revocations

In November 19 licenses were revoked. Unlike the April batch which was mostly non-compliance, several November terminations were initiated by the broadcasters themselves. Below are the key cases:

IDLicensee NameServiceReason
1Sky Group LimitedSky 106.1 FMNon-compliance
2Truckside Advertising LimitedNjata FMNon-compliance
3Truckside Advertising LimitedNjata TVNon-compliance
4Chonjo Products LimitedKihooto FMNon-compliance
5Life Point Media LimitedRadio AsheLicensee request to terminate
6Switch TV LimitedSwitch TVLicensee request to terminate
7Lancia Digital Broadcast LimitedBamba TVLicensee request to terminate
8Econet Media LimitedKwese TV Landing RightsLicensee request to terminate
9Innova Media LimitedKiss TVLicensee request to terminate

Notably Econet Media (K) Ltd operating as a Subscription Management Service and Switch TV were among those who voluntarily ceased operations. This group also included KUSCCO FM, Tusmo FM and Radio Ashe.

Industry Impact

As of November 29, 2024 there were 672 licensed broadcasters in Kenya. 75 licenses revoked shows CA’s commitment to enforcing compliance in the broadcasting sector. This is to professionalize, ensure adherence to standards and protect the media landscape in Kenya.

But the impact on the broadcasting ecosystem cannot be ignored. Several areas served by these broadcasters will have reduced media coverage and potentially affect information dissemination and local content production.

Kenya Drafts Crypto Policy to Regulate Virtual Assets Amid Rising Adoption

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Kenya Drafts Crypto Policy to Regulate Virtual Assets Amid Rising Adoption

Kenya has released a Draft National Policy on Virtual Assets (VAs) and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs to address tax evasion, fraud and cybercrime risks associated with cryptocurrencies. This is a big shift from restricting crypto to promoting its safe use in the economy.

Key Points in the Draft Policy

The policy by the National Treasury aims to create a solid legal framework for VAs and VASPs. It balances financial innovation and compliance, a competitive market and risks of money laundering, terrorism financing and consumer protection.

John Mbadi, Treasury CS, said, “This policy provides a basis for a stable market that promotes financial literacy and sound risk management.” He added that this policy will position Kenya as a major player in the global digital finance space.

Why Now?

Treasury cited several reasons why Kenya is keen on regulating cryptocurrencies:

  • Growing demand for alternative investments.
  • Virtual assets facilitate cross border transactions.
  • The anonymity of digital currencies is a concern for misuse for illegal purposes.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also committed to support Kenya’s efforts, technical assistance to help the country develop a full regulatory framework. The regulatory framework is expected to be ready by April 2025 and will be aligned to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations.

Kenya’s Crypto Adoption

Kenya has seen significant crypto adoption. According to the 2023 Geography of Cryptocurrency Report by Chainalysis, Kenya is:

  • 21st in the world on the crypto adoption index.
  • 3rd in the world for peer-to-peer (P2P) exchange trade volume.

More data shows that Kenya accounted for over 12% of Africa’s P2P bitcoin trade in 2020, second only to Nigeria. A 2017 report by Citi found that bitcoin in Kenya was 2.3% of GDP in 2016, this is a big deal for the economy.

What’s Next?

Public comments on the draft policy are ongoing, the comments will shape the final policy. Once in place this will boost investor confidence, curb illicit financial activities and promote innovation in Kenya’s growing crypto space.

China Square Opens Sixth Outlet at Two Rivers Mall, Expands Further in Kenya

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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China Square Opens Sixth Outlet at Two Rivers Mall, Expands Further in Kenya

China Square, a fast growing personal and household merchandise retailer has opened its 6th store in Kenya with a new 75,000 sqft store at Two Rivers Mall in Nairobi. The retailer known for its affordable prices plans to expand further across the country.

Expansion in Kenya

Since opening its first store at Unicity Mall near Kenyatta University in 2022, China Square has been growing fast due to its low price strategy and has attracted many customers. The company has since opened stores in different parts of the country including:

  • The Waterfront Mall, Karen
  • Lang’ata Hyper Mall, Nairobi
  • Nyali Bazaar Mall, Mombasa
  • Mega City Mall, Kisumu

The company’s 7th store will open at Greenspan Mall, Donholm next week and will be beyond Nairobi’s CBD.

Why Two Rivers Mall

Asked about choosing Two Rivers Mall, Managing Director Lei Cheng said, “Two Rivers is one of the biggest malls in Kenya, with plenty of space and parking.” He added that China Square is looking for more locations, especially outside Nairobi, to expand its footprint.

Good for Two Rivers Mall

China Square’s arrival has increased the mall’s occupancy rate. According to James Mworia, CEO of Centum Investments which co-owns the mall, the mall’s occupancy is now 95% up from 85% before China Square came in. Mworia said China Square takes up 10% of the mall’s total space and will bring in more foot traffic and sales for other businesses in the mall.

“China Square will make the overall shopping experience better and benefit other tenants by bringing in more customers,” Mworia said.

Controversy

China Square was criticized in 2023 by local traders and some politicians due to its low price strategy which was seen as a threat to local businesses. But the retailer has stood its ground and is growing and appealing to price conscious customers.

Centum’s broader vision for Two Rivers

In addition to the retail expansion, Centum has also welcomed Teleperformance, a French services and call center firm to its Two Rivers International Finance & Innovation Centre (Trific) Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The SEZ was licensed in June 2023 and covers 64 acres, more than half of Two Rivers’ 106 acre development.

New Regulatory Fees on Electronics Wholesalers and Telcos: What You Need to Know

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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New Regulatory Fees on Electronics Wholesalers and Telcos: What You Need to Know

The Communications Authority of Kenya is heightening efforts in a bid to stem the growing counterfeit electronics gadgets inflow within the country. The new regulatory framework known as the Telecommunication Equipment Distributor licence targets only high-quality and compliant gadgets selling in the local market.

What the New TED Licence Entails

The proposal has it that:

  • A one-off Sh250,000 licence fee for a period of 15 years will be paid.
  • Annual operation levies will be charged at 0.4% of an operator’s annual revenue, with a minimum of Sh120,000.

The move is set to affect major players like Safaricom, which posted revenues of more than Sh10.54 billion in device sales in the year to March 2024, and could pay up to Sh42 million annually under the new regime.

Why the TED Licence is Important

The CA said counterfeit gadgets, most of which lack IMEI numbers, pose a number of risks, including:

  • Inability to trace stolen gadgets.
  • Revenue loss to the government through tax evasion estimated at Sh3.2 billion annually.

Vendors will also be compelled to buy goods only from licensed importers who will ensure that quality standards are met.

Fears of Price Increase

This license would increase the costs of electronics, as telcos and wholesalers might want to pass over the increased costs. Kenyans have witnessed a rise in prices of electronic gadgets over the last two years because of the weakening of the shilling against major currencies such as the US dollar.

Reining in Fakes: Not First Case

This is not the first time that the CA is acting on its plan to eliminate fake gadgets:

  • In 2023, the Supreme Court gave the green light to the CA’s proposal to roll out a Device Management System to detect sham devices. The rollout, however, has been delayed over concerns about privacy.
  • Earlier, the CA launched the 1555 IMEI verification service that allowed users to verify the authenticity of their devices. The program was wrapped up in March 2023.

The Road Ahead

Though the new licence by TED can reduce counterfeits, it is yet to be seen how effective it would be with the high demand for gadgets in Kenya, which currently has over 35.21 million smartphones in use as of June 2024.

High Court Decision Allows Vehicle Insurers Free Rein in Premium Pricing

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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High Court Decision Allows Vehicle Insurers Free Rein in Premium Pricing

In a precedent ruling, the High Court has given Kenyan insurance firms the green light to set vehicle underwriting premiums without interference from regulatory bodies. The ruling by the High Court was based on a case that was dismissed, filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission in 2022, accusing insurance firms of raising premiums for older vehicles.

History of the Case

The KHRC had filed a petition arguing that insurers, by increasing the premium for vehicles older than 12 years or those valued below KSh 600,000, were acting without reasonable basis and in contravention of consumer protection principles. The IRA and the AKI were listed as respondents.

However in it’s finding, the court ruled that, in a free-market economy, insurers are free to fix a price appropriate for the prevailing market circumstances. Justice Mugambi noted that there was no legal requirement placed on the IRA to approve or control premium rates that insurance companies could charge.

Consequences of the Ruling

Following the striking out of the injunction against the rise in premiums, now insurers may:

  • Charge higher premiums for high-risk vehicles, especially the older models.
  • Deni comprehensive cover for those vehicles perceived to be too risky.


The latest move is aimed at slowing down the bleeding in the motor insurance segment that has consistently registered losses. According to data from IRA, insurers registered an underwriting loss of KSh 5.92 billion during 2023 from a loss of KSh 7.59 billion in the prior comparable year.

Industry Response

The Association of Kenya Insurers stated that premium pricing was influenced by various variables that include:

  • Policyholder’s claims experience
  • Future losses expected
  • The aggregate risk profile of the insured fleet

AKI stressed that the premium increase was essential to ensure the future viability of motor insurance, which has traditionally been a loss-making class of business.

Decision of the Court

This decision comes after a similar ruling by the Court of Appeal in September 2024, where the court maintained that it was within the right of insurers to set their minimum premiums. The appellate court rejected guidelines that the IRA had introduced in 2009 setting the minimum premium at 7% of the value of the vehicle as being unreasonable and disproportionate.

Consumer Concerns

Although this has been welcomed by the insurers, saying the new arrangement reduces their losses and consequently allows some sense of stability in the market, for consumers, comprehensive cover might become costlier, if not unavailable. KHRC had earlier criticized the move as “punitive and oppressive” to low-income vehicle owners.

New Licensing Rules to Bar Foreigners from Technical Jobs in Kenya’s Communications Sector

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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New Licensing Rules to Bar Foreigners from Technical Jobs in Kenya’s Communications Sector

Kenya’s Communications Authority – a body entrusted with regulating the ICT sector on the country has taken a step to protect sector’s lucrative jobs to Kenyans and issued a draft of regulatory changes that will restrict technical installation and maintenance jobs in the telecommunications industry to Kenyan citizens and permanent residents. The move is in a bid to protect local jobs and update the licensing framework to reflect the rapidly changing technology. While we don’t expect the draft regulations to lead to only Kenyans working in the ICT sector, but they’ll have an upper-hand when it comes to fillin gup vacant positions.

Key Provisions of the Proposed Rules

Restriction on Foreigners

In the draft regulations, the authority has made it categorically clear that only Kenyan citizens or holders of permanent residency visas shall qualify for telecommunications technical personnel licenses.

“Only Kenyan citizens and holders of permanent residency visas shall be eligible to apply for telecommunications technical personnel licences,” the draft reads.

Applications are also required to show knowledge and experience in line with the country’s Recognition of Prior Learning Framework. We’ve seen cases whereby even what Kenyans commonly refer to as menial jobs such as digging up trenches to lay cabling being done by foreigners, yet there are many Kenyan’s looking for such opportunities with more than needed experience.

Unified Licensing Structure

  • The new system has scrapped the internal and external wiring permits division.
  • The license will enable technical staff to perform the installation and maintenance of the IP network, abetted by a single license.
  • The reason for discarding the older categorization, the CA said, was that the communications world has shifted to optical fiber technologies from copper and wireless technologies.

Inclusion of IT and Engineering Professionals

The proposed framework will widen the eligibility for licenses to include professionals in IT and related fields, which the present structure has failed to fill.

Licensing categories for professionals based on qualifications:

  • Class A: For degree holders
  • Class B: For diploma holders
  • Class C: For certificate holders

Fees and Licensing Term

The proposed licensing fees are as follows:

  • Application fee: Ksh 500
  • Initial license fee: Ksh 1,000
  • Annual operating fee: Ksh 500

Licenses will be valid for a period of 10 years, renewable.

Justification of the Changes

  1. Job Protection for Locals
    The new regulations are mainly aimed at creating opportunities for citizens in a sector that has been dominated by foreign technical expertise.
  2. Technological Advancements
    There’s also a need to upgrade from copper networks which have been used in the sector for years but have since been rendered obsolete in favor to fiber optics and IP-based systems which necessitates new licensing provisions that reflect current technical needs.
  3. Streamlined Licensing
    The new single licensing regime eliminates the headache, as one can practice across different technical fields without having to apply for different licenses.
  4. Recognition of Training and Expertise
    In absorbing IT and engineering professionals, the CA hopes to break the bottlenecks that have denied licenses to competent personnel with relevant training and experience.

Impact on the Industry

  1. Local Population Involvement
    The draft regulations where only Kenyans and permanent residents are allowed to hold licenses will create employment opportunities to the locals.
  2. Positive Impact on Technical Education
    This may also help in enhancing the chances for more and more students to opt for higher education and certification in IT and telecommunication.
  3. Potential Challenges for Businesses
    Companies that have been accustomed to employing expatriates may have some difficulties in adhering to the new guidelines that may also impact the current projects and services.
  4. Enhanced Regulation and Oversight
    The most likely outcome of a well-organized licensing process and new guidelines is the enhancement of the regulatory framework for the regulation of telecommunication infrastructure to meet the present day requirements.

World Bank Launches Cash-Transfer Programme to Retain Adolescents in School

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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World Bank Launches Cash-Transfer Programme to Retain Adolescents in School

The World Bank has rolled out a cash transfer program that is intended to help reduce teen pregnancies and allow adolescents-especially teenage mothers to stay in or return to school. Christened Cash-plus Programme, the project will target 20,000 poor households in Kenya and be implemented alongside the government’s Inua Jamii National Safety Net Programme (NSNP).

Addressing Teen Dropouts and Early Pregnancies

The program launch comes amidst a high rate of school dropouts among adolescents aged between 10–19. According to statistics, pregnancy and early marriages are leading to dropping out of school among teens. In 2023, pregnant adolescents dropped by 1.9% to 253,314; however, the numbers are still alarming.

The Cash-plus Programme provides financial incentives to poor families for education, while requiring that adolescents stay in, or return to, school. The World Bank defines success as years of schooling added or the re-enrolment of dropouts. For those who are unable or unwilling to go back to school, vocational skills training will be provided instead.

Supporting Services

Beyond monetary support, the program encompasses other services to meet broader challenges during adolescence, including:

  • Social and Behavioral Change Activities: Targeting parents and communities to create a supportive environment.
  • Case Management and Psychosocial Support: To serve young mothers and other vulnerable adolescents.
  • Life Skills Training and Mentorship: Resilience building and promoting positive peer relations.
  • Childcare Support: For school-going teenage mothers.

Collaboration and Monitoring

The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Directorate of Children’s Services (DCS) will also be involved in the implementation and monitoring of the programme in relation to regular school attendance and flagging of risk factors for appropriate intervention. Similarly, awareness creation and protocols of data sharing among these agencies aim at ensuring that this operation works smoothly.

Critics and Challenges

Critics say that paying children to go to school devalues the intrinsic value of education and commercializes the process. But the World Bank argues that too often, for financial reasons, adolescents are pushed into child labor or early marriages, making it impossible for them to continue their education.

A Broader Vision for Inclusion

The Cash-plus Programme is one of the interventions that are implemented within the Second Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project that seeks to enhance social inclusion of households. This is against the background that 1.13 million children of primary school age have dropped out of school and the programme could be a life saver for those who are likely to drop out.

Through addressing the structural barriers that affect education, the initiative wants to enable the youth in Kenya become agents of change by providing them with an opportunity to rise out of poverty and acquire marketable skills. The end vision is to eradicate poverty and create an educated and strong nation.

OPPO Find X8 Launches in Kenya: Specs, Features, and Pricing

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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OPPO Find X8 Launches in Kenya: Specs, Features, and Pricing

As we usher in 2025, it’ll be interesting to see where smartphone AI focused trend will take us, and of course we have some notable releases that we are earger to see how they fair on in the new year. One such contenter is the OPPO Find X8, an interesting flagship camera smartphone offering from OPPO which is now available in Kenya, following a global release mid fourth quarter of 2024. The phone is boasting premium features, and according to the manufacturer, it promises a very remarkable smartphone experience, especially for photography lovers and technology enthusiasts.

Key Features of the OPPO Find X8

  1. Display
    • Type: LTPO OLED, near bezel-less design (1.45mm bezels)
    • Size: 6.59 inches
    • Resolution: FHD+ (1256 x 2760 pixels)
    • Brightness: 4500 nits peak brightness
    • Refresh Rate: 120Hz
    • Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus 2
  2. Design and Build
    • Material: Glass back with aluminum frame
    • Water and Dust Resistance: IP68/69
    • Finish: Fingerprint-resistant, available in Star Grey and Space Black
    • Special Feature: Cosmos Ring camera module
  3. Camera System
    • Rear Cameras: Triple 50MP setup
      • Main Camera: 24mm with OIS and 2x optical zoom
      • Telephoto Lens: 73mm periscope with 3x optical zoom and up to 6x digital zoom
      • Ultrawide Lens: 15mm with a 120-degree field of view
    • Video Recording: Up to 4K at 60fps
    • AI Features: Super-resolution up to 120x zoom
    • Camera Collaboration: Hasselblad Master Camera System
  4. Performance
    • Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9400 with Trinity Engine cooling system
    • Operating System: ColorOS 15 (Android 15)
    • Memory: 12GB–16GB RAM
    • Storage: 256GB–1TB
  5. Battery and Charging
    • Capacity: 5630mAh silicon-carbon battery
    • Wired Charging: 80W
    • Wireless Charging: 50W
    • Reverse Wireless Charging: 10W

Enhanced User Experience with ColorOS 15

The OPPO Find X8 runs on ColorOS 15, which introduces over 800 design improvements and advanced features:

  • AI Enhancements: Google Circle for device searches, AI Clarity Enhance for photo upscaling, and new productivity tools in the Documents app and Recorder.
  • Customization: Flux Themes for seamless aesthetic changes.
  • Longevity: Six years of security updates.

Innovative Features

  • Splash Touch Technology: Operate smoothly even in wet conditions.
  • TÜV Rheinland Certification: Eye comfort for prolonged screen use.
  • Cooling System: Includes graphite layers, a vapor chamber, and thermal conductive gel for optimal performance.

Pricing and Availability in Kenya

The OPPO Find X8 is available at:

  • OPPO Kenya stores
  • OPPO Kenya website
  • Partner e-commerce platforms

Price: Ksh 139,999

Conclusion

The OPPO Find X8 is engineered to take smartphone photography and everyday productivity to the next level. Boasting premium build quality, camera prowess, and advanced software, among other desirable features, this places the Find X8 above a decent shot at flagship smartphones.

As noted by Frederique Achieng, the PR Manager for OPPO Kenya: “The Find X8 is a powerful tool suited to creators and everyday users alike, fitting fusing innovation with elegance.”.

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