Standard Group Loses Licenses in CA Kenya Tribunal Ruling

The Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal has upheld the Standard Group license revocation Kenya case, allowing the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to revoke 6 broadcast licenses over unpaid fees totaling KSh 48,874,524.10.

The ruling, delivered on Friday, dismisses an appeal by Standard Group PLC and affirms that the regulator acted within the law.

The licenses affected include outlets such as KTN News, KTN Burudani, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Vybez Radio, and Berur FM. The tribunal found that Standard Group failed to meet its obligations under the Kenya Information and Communications Act despite multiple notices and extensions.

In its decision, the tribunal held that non-payment of annual license fees and Universal Service Fund levies justified revocation. It stated that the CA followed due process, including issuing a 45-day Notice of Contravention in December 2023 and subsequent revocation notices in September 2024.

“The Authority had given multiple opportunities over a sustained period for compliance,” the ruling states, emphasizing that regulatory obligations are clear and enforceable.

Standard Group had argued that a December 24, 2024 agreement with the Authority outlined a structured repayment plan, including an initial KSh 10 million settlement and monthly installments. The tribunal rejected this argument, finding no breach by the regulator.

The Standard Group license revocation Kenya case has drawn wider scrutiny due to ongoing financial disputes between media houses and the government. Standard Group and its supporters argue that the enforcement action cannot be separated from broader economic pressure.

Reports from 2025 placed government advertising arrears owed to media houses at around KSh 1.2 billion. Budget documents for 2026 indicate planned payments of about KSh 228.9 million as part of a KSh 866 million settlement across several outlets.

Critics say delayed payments have strained cash flow, making it harder for media companies to meet regulatory obligations while continuing operations.

The CA maintains that the action is part of routine sector enforcement. The regulator has revoked dozens of licenses in recent years, including 75 broadcasters in 2024 and more than 42 TV stations in 2025, largely for non-compliance or inactivity.

This broader pattern supports the Authority’s position that the move against Standard Group is not exceptional but part of ongoing spectrum management and regulatory compliance efforts.

Media watchdogs and industry observers point to a longer-running tension between regulators and newsrooms, particularly during periods of political friction. In 2025, signals for some Standard Group stations were temporarily disrupted during protest coverage, later challenged in court.

Standard Group has framed its editorial stance as critical of government conduct, including corruption and governance issues. That context has fueled claims that enforcement actions disproportionately affect outspoken outlets.

The tribunal’s ruling clears the way for the Communications Authority to proceed with license revocation unless further legal action intervenes. Standard Group may pursue additional appeals or seek a negotiated settlement to retain its broadcast frequencies.

The outcome will determine whether the dispute remains a regulatory enforcement case or develops into a broader confrontation over media financing and operational independence in Kenya.

“Broadcasting frequencies are scarce public resources regulated under statutory frameworks.”

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