Threats to switch off TV stations began 4 years ago

June 23, 2011: Communications Commission of Kenya awards a Chinese firm; Pan African Network Group licence to distribute digital signals throughout Kenya ahead of June 17, 2015 analogue switch off deadline.

November 22, 2013: Royal Media Services, Nation Media Services and Standard Gorup file a case at the High Court seeking to compel the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) to issue them with Broadcasting Signal Distribution (BSD) licences.

December 24, 2014: The High Court rejects the three media houses' bid for a BSD licence. They move to appeal the decision.

March 28, 2014: Court of Appeal revokes the signal distribution licence awarded to China's Pan African Network Group, orders fresh tendering as well as issuance of licence to three media house, Standard, Nation and Citizen; extends migration by six months to September 30.

April 11, 2014: Supreme Court prohibits Signet Kenya Limited, Star Times Media Limited, Pan African Network Group Kenya Limited and GOtv Kenya Limited from broadcasting any content from Standard, Nation and Royal media houses.

Sept 29, 2014; Supreme Court quashes the Court of Appeal orders revoking PANG license and the one requiring CAK to issue local media houses with license. The court asks CAK to re-consider local media houses licence application within 90 days.

November 26, 2014: Africa Digital Network, a consortium of the three local media houses is issued with the digital broadcasting license for 21 frequencies against Chinese company which had been spoiled with 120 frequencies.

Nov 28, 2014: Only two days after granting the Kenyan companies the licence, Communication Authority of Kenya announces a three-phase analogue switch-off beginning with Nairobi on December 31, 2014, Mombasa February 2, 2015 and all other places on March 30 2015.

January 21, 2015: CAK suspends the temporary authorisation granted to Africa Digital Network Limited to roll out their self-provisioning digital signal distribution over an alleged "misleading advertisement."

Feb 13: The Supreme Court reinstates ADG's license and frequencies for digital broadcasting. On the same day, the Communications Authority of Kenya directs all media houses to migrate to the digital platform effective by midnight.

February 14, 2015: As the world and Kenyans celebrate Valentine's Day, Government forcefully switches off analogue frequencies, plunging viewers into darkness.