PRESS STATEMET BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY OF KENYA, MR. FRANCIS W. WANGUSI, ON THE SUPREME COURT RULING OF 13TH FEBRUARY 2015 ON DIGITAL MIGRATION
Following the Supreme Court ruling of 29th September 2014, the Communications Authority of Kenya was directed to comply with certain orders, among them setting the analogue switch-off timelines ahead of the June 17th 2015 international deadline. After consultations with key stakeholders, the Authority set a phased analogue switch off timelines as follows:
Phase 1 31st December 2014: Switch-off of analogue TV transmitters in Nairobi and its environs.
Phase 2 2nd February 2015: Switch off of analogue TV transmitters in Mombasa, Malindi, Nyeri, Meru, Kisumu, Webuye, Kakamega, Kisii, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyahururu (Nyadundo), Machakos, Narok and Loldiani (Rongai)
Phase 3 30th March 2015: Switch-off of analogue TV transmitters in Garissa, Kitui, Lodwar, Lokichogio, Kapenguria, Kabarnet, Migori, Voi (Vuria), Mbwinzau/Kibwezi, Namanga and any other remaining sites.
On 30th December 2014, some media houses; namely Nation Media Group, Standard Group and Royal Media Services, moved to the Supreme Court to seek interim orders to continue broadcasting on the analogue platform. The Supreme Court, on 5th January 2015, allowed the three media houses to continue broadcasting on the analogue platform until the full bench of the Supreme Court heard and ruled on the matter.
This ruling was delivered today, 13th February 2015, and stated as follows:
That the analogue switch-off timelines remain as scheduled by the Authority. That the Supreme Court has withdrawn orders earlier issued to allow the three broadcasters to continue broadcasting on the analogue platform. That the Authority restores the self-provisioning authorisation and the requisite frequencies issued to the three media houses.
That the three media houses abide by ALL the conditions that had earlier accompanied the grant of authorisation for self-provisioning. That the Authority has duly complied with the directives and orders issued by the court on 29th September 2014.
This, in essence, means that the three media houses and any other network currently broadcasting on the analogue platform in the areas already switched-off are required to migrate to the digital platform with immediate effect. Any broadcaster still on the analogue platform will be doing so illegally and the Authority shall take regulatory action against them.
I take this opportunity to assure Kenyans that the Digital Migration plan is still on, and urge all Kenyans who have not made arrangements to transit to the digital platform to do so as to continue viewing their TVs.
Moreover, the Authority will continue to make all efforts to support the smooth transition to the digital platform in the remaining parts of the country. The next and final phase of switch off shall be on 30th March 2015, for the nation to be in time to beat the global deadline of 17th June, 2015. We shall continue with our efforts to educate consumers on the migration process.
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