Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has asked Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to use dialogue as a way of settling the stalemate with the three leading media houses in Kenya over the digital migration row.
The lobby’s secretary general Stephen Mutoro said the only way to solve the deadlock affecting digital migration is through dialogue which has been missing between the signal distributor and the media houses.
Speaking during the digital migration report card review today, Mr Mutoro said: “We look at digital migration as a creator of opportunities for culture, arts and ICT professionals. It must promote our people through informed dialogue, collective and collaborative effort.” He also made a call to the judiciary system to ensure justice prevails when the court cases surrounding digital migration will be heard.
Speaking at the same function, CA chairman Ngene Gituku pointed a finger at the Kenyan media for being selfish and resistant to change, adding that Kenya will face serious international consequences if the country fails to adhere to the international deadline for digital migration, June 17 this year.
“CA is determined to see the success of digital migration. We have taken important strides in ensuring this despite the challenges from the media. About 88% of Kenyans are aware of digital migration despite the media refusing to create awareness through paid advertisements,” revealed Mr Ngene.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) gave the June 17 this year as the deadline for digital migration back in 2006 following the Geneva Convention. In Kenya, digital migration was set to take place in three switch-off phases; the first being on December 31, 2014 which saw the switch-off in Nairobi and its environs, the second in February 2, 2015 affecting Mombasa, Malindi, Nyeri, Kisumu, Kakamega, Kisii, Nakuru, Eldoret,Machakos, Narok. The last and the final phase will occur on March 31, which will affect places like Garrisa, Kitui, Lodwar, Lokichogio, Kapenguria, Kabarnet, Migori, Kibwezi, Namanga among others.
However, the analogue switch-off was refuted after three media houses- Royal Media, Nation Media and the Standard Group, went to court challenging the move by the Authority, arguing that they were not given enough time for the switch-over and unfair allocation of digital signals.
