Media houses operating with 'questionable' licenses could have a one-year grace period to remain on-air if a new bill sponsored by Aldai Member of Parliament Marianne Kitany becomes law.
The Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill 2025 proposes the Commission Authority (CA) to allow such houses to run their operations for a period not exceeding twelve months to allow them to align their operations in accordance with the provision of the proposed law.
According to the bill which proposes to amend Fifth Schedule CAP 411 A of the Kenya Information and Communication Act, such broadcasting houses shall be required to be registered afresh by the CA, irrespective of whether their permits had been granted by the Cabinet Secretary in charge of broadcasting. "The Commission shall respect and uphold the vested rights and interests of parties holding broadcasting permits issued by the Cabinet Secretary prior to the commencement of this Act provided that the parties shall be granted a period not exceeding one year or such longer period and subject to such terms and conditions as the Cabinet Secretary may by notice specify." reads article 27(2 a, b) of the Bill. "Before the expiry of one year, or such a longer period as the aforesaid period, such parties shall apply to the Commission to be licensed under this Act." The Bill also proposes to amend Section 27 A CAP 411 A of the principal act where it outlines regulations to be adhered to by telecommunications operators while registering new Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.
Under the amended provision, telecommunications operators must ensure existing subscribers register their SIM cards as required.
