CA obtains orders to seize broadcasters’ transmitters in Nakuru

Anti-riot police keep watch after human rights activists dump television sets outside CA offices in Nairobi in protest over forceful switch off of analogue transmission. (Photo:File/Standard)

Nakuru, Kenya: The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has obtained orders to seize three broadcasters’ analogue transmitting equipment situated at Menengai hills in Nakuru.

Chief Magistrate Samuel Mungai issued the orders to CA to enter, search and seize transmitters for KTN, NTV, QTV and Citizen TV after an application filed by Philip Tonui, an investigator with the regulator.

Tonui, in his affidavits told the court that the three media houses declined to surrender analogue frequencies and continue to use them illegally and that the authority had written to the three media houses to repossess them on February 24.

According to CA, the three media houses have been using the transmitters to illegally broadcast analogue signals.

During an ex-parte session, the court allowed the application by the CA and certified it urgent.

“Application dated March 6, 2015 noted the same is certified urgent and prayer no 2 is granted and orders to issue accordingly,” Mungai ruled.

The orders allow any investigator appointed by CA to “enter, search, seize and detain any radio communication apparatus, articles or equipment” found at the Company Premises located in Menengai Hills.

In February 14, CA stormed transmitters belonging to the three media houses in Limuru under heavy police guard and carted away equipment.

This forced the three media houses to go off air for 19 days denying Kenyans access to TV as the government played hardball.

The three media houses have since resumed broadcast with their signals available on free to air set boxes.

The Supreme Court had ordered CA to restore frequencies which had been canceled following a complaint by pay TV providers Star Times and GoTV.