The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued a notice to the Standard Group PLC announcing the revocation of its broadcasting licenses after reportedly failing to pay a KSh 43 million regulatory fee.
However, the media house has read malice in the notice, saying there has been a commitment to clear the debt.
For instance, in a news piece on Monday, April 14, Standard Group said it made an initial payment of KSh 10 million on December 27, 2024.
Further, after consultations, Standard and CA agreed on a monthly repayment structure of KSh 2.5 million from January 2025. The money would later be increased to KSh 4 million and the outlet said it has been paying.
Despite the payment commitment, the Mombasa Road-based media group said it received a letter from CA Director General David Mugonyi announcing plans to revoke its operating licence over the debt.
"Please note that the total outstanding regulatory fees currently is Ksh 48,729,488.10, comprising licence fees of Ksh 13,735,298.37 and USF Levy of Ksh 34,994,189.74. The Authority required you to have either settled the total outstanding regulatory fees or at least submitted a payment plan before the expiry of the revocation notices," the notice from CA read in part.However, the media house believes the notice is part of a scheme by the government to gag the station. Notably, the media house has been producing hard-hitting publications against President William Ruto’s administration.
