- The Communications and Multimedia Appeal Court dismissed Standard Media Group’s appeal against the cancellation of six of its broadcasting licenses due to unpaid fees
- Standard Group failed to meet regulatory obligations despite several extensions from the Communications Authority of Kenya
- The court affirmed the decision of the CA as valid and consistent with the Information and Communications Act of Kenya
Nairobi: Standard Media Group has suffered a major blow after the Communications and Multimedia Appeal Court allowed the cancellation of six of its broadcasting licences.
Source: Facebook
What happened to Standard Media Group?
This came after the court dismissed the media group’s appeal regarding unpaid regulatory fees totaling KSh 48.8 million, including KSh 13.8 million and the Universal Service Fund levy of KSh 34.9 million.
The Universal Service Fund levy was established under the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Act, 2009, to support and promote IT innovation in the country.
The affected licenses cover Vybez Radio, Berur FM, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, KTN Entertainment, and KTN News.
“The Communications and Multimedia Court of Appeal has today granted the Kenya Communications Authority (CA) permission to cancel six (6) broadcasting licenses of Standard Media Group due to arrears of KShs. 48,874,524,” the authority said.
Source: Facebook
How did the court decide against Standard Media?
In a decision on Friday, March 27, the court confirmed that the CA’s decision to cancel the licenses was in line with applicable laws.
It noted that Standard Group has repeatedly failed to pay outstanding annual license fees and Universal Service Fund levies for several years, despite many expansions and opportunities to correct its position.
“The court confirmed that the authority has given Standard Media Group ample opportunity over time to correct its position, and that the regulatory obligations under the KICA were clear and non-negotiable,” the CA said.
The crisis began in December 2023, when the regulator gave Standard Group a 45-day notice for breaching license terms and conditions.
However, the CA confirmed that the notice expired on January 17, 2024, prompting it to sue the licensee in February 2024 for non-payment of its regulatory fees.
“On April 9, 2025, the CA informed Standard Group that, following the expiry of the cancellation notices that had expired on March 24, 2025, the authority continues to publish notices of cancellation of all advertising licenses issued to Standard Group in the Kenya Gazette. The amount currently outstanding is KSh 48,874,524.10, including license fees of KSh 13,880,334.37 and USF tax of KSh 34,994,189.73,” the controller explained.
In Kenya, broadcasting license fees and license periods are determined based on the market segment to be served.
In addition to application fees, operators also pay annual operating fees, spectrum access fees and annual spectrum fees.
Is the government targeting Standard Group?
Amid the standoff, Standard Group strongly accused the state of using CA to target it over its bold journalism and hard-hitting headlines, which are seen as critical of the government.
The group’s chief executive officer Chacha Mwita claimed that the company had already paid KSh 10 million in December 2024, and committed to paying an additional KSh 24 million.
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