CA To Revoke Licences For Standard Group’s Radio Maisha, Spice FM
The Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal has approved the Communications Authority of Kenya’s (CA) decision to terminate six broadcasting licences held by The Standard Media Group due to Ksh48.9 million in arrears.
The six affected licenses are Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Vybez Radio, Berur FM, KTN Burudani, and KTN News.
In a verdict issued on Friday, March 27, the tribunal denied The Standard Media Group PLC‘s appeal, stating that the intended revocation was lawful, valid, and in accordance with the Kenya Information and Communications Act.
The tribunal cited the media group’s refusal to pay outstanding annual license payments and the Universal Service Fund (USF) tax over several years.
This is despite repeated notices from the authority, as stipulated in the licensing terms and conditions.
Each licence requires annual payment of fees and levies, obligations that the Mombasa-Road-based outlet failed to meet despite several extensions and concessions by the regulator.
Breaking: Tribunal Allows CA To Revoke Six (6) Standard Media Group's Broadcasting Licences Over KSh. 48.87 Million Arrears@NTVnewsroom @StandardKenya @TheStarBreaking @BreakingNewsKE @citizentvkenya @PeopleDailyKe @KBCChannel1 @tv47news @NationAfricKE@Mugonyid @Kenyans pic.twitter.com/UuwM2UBfCj
— Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) (@CA_Kenya) March 27, 2026
The tribunal was told that a Notice of Contravention was issued to the media house on December 4, 2023, running for 45 days and lapsing on January 17, 2024, which communicated the non-compliance with licence terms.
Following continued non-payment, CA says it issued Notices of Revocation to all Standard Group stations on September 24, 2024, after the Notices of Contravention had expired and outstanding regulatory fees remained unsettled.
At the same time, it has emerged that CA had previously engaged Standard Group in meetings on June 14, 2023, December 4, 2023, and February 9, 2024, seeking a resolution on the unpaid regulatory fees, but the issues persisted.
On April 9, 2025, the CA informed the media group that it would proceed to publish revocation notifications in the Kenya Gazette, following the lapse of previous revocation notices on March 24, 2025.
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“The outstanding amount is currently Ksh48,874,524.10, comprising licence fees of Ksh13,880,334.37 and the USF levy of Ksh34,994,189.73,” a statement from CA added in part.
In its appeal, the media outlet did not dispute the debt but referenced a December 24, 2024, agreement outlining a payment plan with an initial Ksh10 million settlement, a further Ksh3 million following a rights issue, and monthly instalments thereafter.
The media group argued that CA’s revocation notices breached this agreement and violated constitutional rights relating to freedom of expression and public communication.
Nonetheless, the tribunal ruled that the CA had provided multiple opportunities over a sustained period for compliance and that obligations under KICA are clear and non-negotiable and dismissed Standard Group’s appeal.
CA To Revoke Licences For Standard Group’s Radio Maisha, Spice FM
