The Reason CA is Closing Down Standard Group’s KTN, Radio Maisha & Spice FM

The Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal has dealt a significant blow to Standard Media Group PLC. In a ruling delivered on 27 March 2026, the tribunal cleared the way for the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to revoke six of the group’s broadcasting licences.

The decision follows a long-running dispute over unpaid regulatory fees. The media house, which is one of Kenya's oldest and most prominent press organisations, now faces the immediate risk of having several of its most popular brands switched off.

Millions in Unpaid Arrears

The heart of the legal battle is a debt totalling KShs. 48,874,524.10. This amount has been accruing over several years. According to the CA, the sum is split into two main categories:

• Licence fees: KShs. 13,880,334.37
• Universal Service Fund (USF) levy: KShs. 34,994,189.73.

The USF is a mandatory fund intended to help expand telecommunications and broadcasting services to underserved areas in Kenya.

The tribunal noted that Standard Media Group failed to meet these annual remittances despite being given several extensions and concessions.

Top Radio and TV Stations Affected

The revocation order hits the group’s most recognizable brands. The six licences at the centre of the ruling include:

• Radio Maisha and Spice FM (Frontline radio stations)
• Vybez Radio and Berur FM
• KTN News and KTN Burudani.

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• "The tribunal affirmed that broadcasting frequencies are scarce public resources regulated strictly under statutory frameworks, underscoring that public bodies must exercise regulatory powers reasonably and transparently,” part of CA’s letter read.

The Legal Tug-of-War

Standard Media Group did not contest the existence of the debt during the appeal. Instead, the company argued that it had a payment plan in place.

This plan reportedly involved an initial settlement of KShs. 10 million, followed by KShs. 3 million after a rights issue, with monthly payments thereafter.

The media group also claimed that the CA’s move to revoke the licences was an act of "bad faith." They argued it violated constitutional rights regarding freedom of expression.

However, the tribunal dismissed these claims. It ruled that the CA had provided "multiple opportunities over a sustained period" for the company to fix its financial standing.

The tribunal emphasized that regulatory obligations under the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA) are "clear and non-negotiable".

A Long Road to Revocation

This move was not sudden. The CA first issued a Notice of Contravention on 4 December 2023. After that notice lapsed in January 2024, the regulator issued formal Notices of Revocation for all Standard Group stations in September 2024.

Despite meetings held between June 2023 and February 2024 to resolve the issue, the debt remained unpaid. By April 2025, the CA notified the group that it would proceed to publish the revocation notice in the Kenya Gazette.

With the tribunal now dismissing the appeal and awarding costs to the Authority, the regulator is expected to move forward with the final shutdown of the affected stations.