The Communications Authority of Kenya has moved to cancel six broadcasting licences over unpaid regulatory fees, while the Standard Group accuses the government of withholding more than Ksh.1.2 billion owed for advertising services.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has threatened to revoke six broadcasting licences held by Standard Group PLC over alleged unpaid regulatory fees, escalating a high-stakes financial dispute between the media house and the State.
In a ruling delivered on March 27, 2026, the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal dismissed the media house’s appeal, clearing the way for the regulator to proceed with cancelling the licences tied to major stations including KTN News, KTN Burudani, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Vybez Radio, and Berur FM.
The Authority maintains that the action stems from arrears amounting to Ksh.48.87 million, comprising licence fees and the Universal Service Fund levy, which it says the broadcaster failed to settle despite multiple notices, extensions, and engagements spanning several years.
“The impending revocation was lawful, valid, and in accordance with the Kenya Information and Communications Act,” the regulator said in a statement, reaffirming its position that the media house had been afforded ample opportunity to regularize its obligations.
However, the Standard Group has pushed back strongly, terming the move premature and legally contestable, while signalling plans to challenge the Authority’s decision before the High Court. In a press statement, the media house framed the dispute as a financial standoff with the State, claiming it is owed more than Ksh.1.2 billion by government ministries, state agencies, and county governments for advertising and media services rendered over an extended period.
The broadcaster acknowledged the outstanding regulatory fees but attributed non-payment to cash flow constraints caused by the government’s failure to settle its debts.
“Yes, the Group has outstanding regulatory fees. But these arrears were never settled not because of bad faith, but because the same Government that now seeks to shut us down has itself failed to honour its obligations to The Standard Group PLC,” the media house stated.
Industry observers have described the standoff as a critical test for media freedom and the sustainability of the broadcasting sector in Kenya. The threatened revocation comes at a time when traditional media houses across the country are grappling with declining advertising revenues, shifting consumer habits toward digital platforms, and mounting operational costs.
The Universal Service Fund levy, which forms part of the disputed fees, is a statutory contribution imposed on telecommunications and broadcasting licensees to support the expansion of communication services to underserved and rural areas. Industry players have previously raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of the fund’s administration, though the CA has defended its collection as a legal obligation.
Should the licences be revoked, the affected stations would be forced off the air, potentially disrupting services for millions of listeners and viewers across the country. KTN News, in particular, is one of Kenya’s most widely watched television news channels, while Radio Maisha and Spice FM command substantial audiences in the competitive radio market.
Legal experts note that the Standard Group’s planned High Court challenge could delay any revocation action pending judicial review. The media house is expected to argue that the regulator failed to consider the broader context of the government’s outstanding debt, which the company says directly contributed to its inability to meet its regulatory obligations.
The standoff has drawn reactions from media stakeholders and civil society organizations, with some calling for urgent intervention to prevent what they term a “death sentence” for one of Kenya’s oldest and largest media houses. The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) issued a statement expressing concern over the potential job losses and the chilling effect the revocation could have on media freedom.
As the legal and political drama unfolds, all eyes are now on the High Court, where the Standard Group is expected to file its challenge in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Communications Authority has indicated that it will proceed with the revocation process unless a court order restrains it or the media house settles the outstanding fees.
Neither party has indicated willingness to back down, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s media landscape.
