The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has cancelled 155 licences belonging to companies operating in the communications sector after a regulatory review found them non-compliant with licensing conditions.
In a Gazette Notice dated October 16, the authority said the affected firms have seven days from the date of publication before the revocations take effect.
After that, they will no longer be authorised to operate or offer any services under their current permits.
“The Communications Authority of Kenya shall revoke the licences of the following service providers within seven (7) days from the date of this Gazette Notice,” the notice stated.
The crackdown targets a wide range of players, including 58 Application Service Providers (ASPs), 19 Network Facilities Providers (NFPs), and 78 Content Service Providers (CSPs). Once the licences are revoked, any resources or frequencies held under them will revert to the CA.
According to the regulator, the move is part of ongoing efforts to clean up the industry and ensure that all operators adhere to the requirements of the Kenya Information and Communications Act.
In the same notice, CA also revealed that six companies have applied for new commercial communication licences. The authority has invited the public to submit their comments or objections regarding the applicants before the approvals are granted.
“The Authority wishes to notify the general public that any legal or natural person, or group of individuals, who wish to make any representation or objection to the said applications, may do so through a written submission to the Authority,” it said.
The latest action by CA signals a tougher stance on regulatory compliance as the agency seeks to streamline Kenya’s rapidly growing digital and communication services sector.
