THOME FM among radios Chiloba wants closed

The Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) has revoked licenses
of 60 FM stations including 17 radio stations owned by the Catholic Church.

Communication Authority's headquarters in Nairobi. Photo/FILE
Among the radio stations whose licenses have been revoked is Thome FM, a vernacular Radio station owned by the Catholic Diocese of Kitui.

In the revocation notice issued by CAK, the authority cited non-compliance to license requirement as the reason as to why it intends to shut down the media outlets.
"The Authority has initiated the rejection of license applications for commercial and community radio broadcasting services by the listed
24 applicants for failing to comply with related licensing requirements as prescribed by the Authority such as clearing outstanding
regulatory fees among others," read part of the public notice expressing interest to revoke the licenses.

The CAK revokes the licenses based on the  provisions of Clause 46C and the Fifth Schedule of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998 (KICA CAP411A), that provides for a transition period for broadcasting permits granted by the Government to the licensing regime administered by the Authority.

STORY By BONIFACE MWANIKI, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI