The CA shall issue broadcast licences in a fair, timely, and competitive manner.
Private broadcast licenses will not be granted to any political party, or affiliate of a political party. To
avoid hoarding of the scarce frequency resources, CA will develop guidelines with appropriate
regulatory safeguards to ensure broadcast licensees start operations within timeframes stipulated in
their licences upon being granted broadcast licenses.
7.7.3 Community Broadcasting Services
Community broadcasting service providers, who are fully controlled by a non-profit entity, will be
licensed to offer non-profit services that serve a particular community. They will be required to:
(a) Offer a distinct broadcasting service dealing specifically with community issues, which are not
usually dealt with by private or public broadcasting service covering the same area; and
(b) Focus on the provision of programmes that highlight community issues, including, but not
limited to; developmental issues, health care, basic information and general education,
environmental affairs and local culture.
Licensing of community broadcasters will follow an approach where prospective service providers will
make application to CA. The licenses will be granted after evaluation based on clear conditions and
availability of frequencies in the service area. In order to promote the development of community
broadcasting services, the CA will endeavour to reserve broadcast frequencies and/or television
channels for this purpose. Community broadcast licenses will not be granted to any political party, or
affiliate of a political party.
7.7.4 Policy Objectives
The overall policy objective for the broadcasting sector is to create, within the framework of the
Constitution, an environment that enables broadcasting services to be provided in the public interest
and to contribute equitably to the socio-economic and cultural development of Kenya. Specific
objectives of the policy are to:(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
Encourage the growth of a broadcasting industry that is efficient, competitive and responsive
to audience needs and susceptibilities;
Ensure the development of broadcasting services that reflect a sense of Kenyan identity,
character, cultural diversity and expression through the development of appropriate local
content;
Promote diversity in ownership, control and programming of broadcasting services and
availability throughout Kenya;
Promote fair competition, innovation, protection of intellectual property rights and
investment in the broadcasting content industry;
Ensure adherence to social responsibility by encouraging the development of and respect for
the Programming Code and other codes of practice by all broadcasting licensees;
Ensure universal access to, and viability of public service broadcasting;
Require any person wishing to provide broadcasting services to obtain the necessary licenses;
Require broadcasters, including those re-broadcasting free-to air programmes to meet the
prescribed local content levels taking into account the type of programming a broadcaster airs
and availability of local content;
22