The Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) shuts down Royal Media Services broadcast transmitters

Ab-Titchaz · Feb 2, 2013

CCK shuts down six Royal Media Services transmitters

Owner of the Royal Media Services Mr S.K. Macharia. Photo/FILE NATION MEDIA GROUP

By NATION Reporter
Posted Saturday, February 2 2013 at 11:22

In Summary

Transmitters are located in Nakuru, Narok, Mukuyuni in Makueni and Mambrui, Malindi. which CCK said were using unauthorised or grabbed frequencies.

The Communication Commission of Kenya has shut down six Royal Media Services broadcast transmitters that the regulator says were operating without licences.

The transmitters are located in Nakuru, Narok, Mukuyuni in Makueni and Mambrui, Malindi. which CCK said were using unauthorised or grabbed frequencies.

In a statement, CCK said the six transmitters were part of 17 "put up illegally by Royal Media Services in the recent past without a licence from CCK, and therefore in contravention of the law".

"Some of the transmitters are located in non-designated broadcasting sites thus causing interferences to other critical services including aviation.

A further 22 FM and 2 TV unauthorized frequencies that Royal Media Services acquired in the same manner between 2008 and 2012 are pending adjudication in the courts," CCK Director General Francis Wangusi said Saturday.

Mr Wangusi said the illegal transmitters were causing interferences to broadcasters in Kenya and the region.

"In some instance the interferences are so intense that the services of other broadcasters using duly authorised frequencies have been rendered completely inoperable, he said.

Mr Wangusi said the transmitters were a threat to Kenya's airspace.

"The safety of our airspace was under threat as these illegal transmitters had on a number of occasions caused interferences to communication between pilots and the control tower at our main airports," Mr Wangusi said.

He said CCK would shut down "11 illegal stations to ensure that all players in the broadcasting sector operate within the law".

CCK shuts down six Royal Media Services transmitters - News - nation.co.ke

Mutasingwa Wayne · Feb 2, 2013

Can this be a reason kwamba tangu jana hatapati Citizen TV Dar!

Ab-Titchaz · Feb 2, 2013

"The 'illegal' transmitters were acquired between 2008 and 2012 and had never been shut down until 2013 a few weeks to the general elections! We also know where Macharia stands in this election. A little interesting Mr. Wangusi."

"Macharia should have known that he was treading on a delicate glass ground when he decided to supprt CORD.Have they just discovered now that the transmitters are illegal?And suppose he turns around and decides to support JUBILEE,will the transmitters become legal?"

"The safety of our airspace was under threat as these illegal transmitters had on a number of occasions caused interferences to communication between pilots and the control tower at our main airports," Mr Wangusi said.

Why should you wait cut when our airspace is under threat should act immediately by shutting them down..

Ab-Titchaz · Feb 2, 2013

Mutasingwa Wayne said:
Can this be a reason kwamba tangu jana hatapati Citizen TV Dar!

Most likely mkuu mwenzangu.

Ab-Titchaz · Feb 2, 2013

Kabla ya hili kutokea, kulikua na haya....

UHURU KENYATTA raids CITIZEN TV …. offers TOM MBOYA 1 million and BELINDA OBURA etc …. Here is the FULL LIST

Thursday, January 31, 2013 – The competition for viewers in Kenya seems to have gone a notch higher and if the latest developments are anything to go by, then we are in for more drama. Well, the one who gains most is the viewer who is in search of informative programs and quality entertainment.

Of late, there have been massive movements especially towards KTN from NTV but the latest victim is Citizen TV and the significant losses include Belinda Obura and Tom Mboya who have left to join K24. There is romour going round that Tom Mboya was offered 1 million shillings per month while Belinda was given something close to that. Uhuru Kenyatta's K24 seems to have taken a swipe at Citizen TV in the most unexpected manner.

Here is the full list of those crossing over as per a source inside K24…

o Chris Thairu,
o Handas Ihachi
o Frank macharia,
o Job mwaura
o Geoffrey wachira
o Kanze Dena – Yet to confirm Move, But offer made
o Mercy Kimani-Transmission controller
o Juliet wairimu – Wedding Show Producer
o Wangui Gitonga
o Magda Wairimu
o Mustafa
o Mohammed getonga
o Jonah Promos – KTN - Afro Cinema producer
o Mike Tanui – KTN
o Pablo
o David Mbatia – producer Sakata
o Eustas Kathurima –Cameraman
o Belinda Obura
o Tom Mboya
o Franklin wambugu
o Double T
o Duncan Khaemba

More of this story to follow as the news unfolds…

DAILY POST: UHURU KENYATTA raids CITIZEN TV …. offers TOM MBOYA 1 million and BELINDA OBURA etc …. Here is the FULL LIST

Thomas Odera · Feb 2, 2013

Ingekuwa hapa Tz tungesema wanaunga mkono CHADEMA ndiyo maana wamefungiwa lakini kwa Kenya nafikiri sheria imechukua mkondo wake

chash · Feb 2, 2013

Macharia with all due respect is among the most respected business men in East Africa, he has a midas touch in that every business he touches turns to gold. For sure, such a person can not support suspects who will take the country to ruin through sanctions that will bring the nation to extreme poverty like Zimbambwe. His business empire will promptly die and his money be worthless. Any people just using common sense would not have agreed these fellows to run for leadership. No matter how you look at the picture its a loose / loose scenario for Kenya.

Ab-Titchaz said:
"The 'illegal' transmitters were acquired between 2008 and 2012 and had never been shut down until 2013 a few weeks to the general elections! We also know where Macharia stands in this election. A little interesting Mr. Wangusi."

"Macharia should have known that he was treading on a delicate glass ground when he decided to supprt CORD.Have they just discovered now that the transmitters are illegal?And suppose he turns around and decides to support JUBILEE,will the transmitters become legal?"

"The safety of our airspace was under threat as these illegal transmitters had on a number of occasions caused interferences to communication between pilots and the control tower at our main airports," Mr Wangusi said.

Why should you wait cut when our airspace is under threat should act immediately by shutting them down..

Ab-Titchaz · Feb 4, 2013

Reprieve for Royal Media in row over transmitters

By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, February 3 2013 at 20:36

In Summary

Judge bars CCK from shutting down any more equipment of the media house

The High Court on Sunday barred the communications regulator from shutting down any more broadcasting transmitters operated by Royal Media Services.

Mr Justice David Majanja issued the orders sought on short notice by the company after the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) closed its six transmitters on Saturday which accused the media house of operating them without its permission.

The media house asked the judge to hear the fresh dispute on Sunday, saying the regulator's action had adversely affected its operations.

Royal Media told Mr Justice Majanja that CCK planned to close down 18 transmitters, including the six shut on Saturday.

"I have considered the arguments and material placed before the court and I think the petitioner is entitled to have the case heard before drastic action is taken against it by the third respondent (CCK)," he said in the ruling.

The judge, while asking the two parties to appear before him at noon on Monday, February 4, for hearing, said that he was in the chambers on Sunday and was available to hear the matter.

Earlier, ODM secretary- general Anyang' Nyong'o linked the shutdown of the transmitters to politics, describing the move as dictatorship and disregard of media freedom in the country.

"We know this is an attempt by some government officials to gag the media ahead of the elections," said the Medical Services minister.

Speaking in Kisumu on Sunday, Prof Nyong'o said the timing of the action was suspicious.

He said the media house was targeted because its owner, Mr S.K. Macharia, is a member of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) headed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, also a member of Cord, announced during the launch of the coalition at Uhuru Park in Nairobi that Mr Macharia would be a member of its summit.

And in Nairobi, Cord summit member Moses Wetang'ula on Sunday said CCK's move amounted to much more than switching off RMS services.

"We see this as a design by hidden forces to influence the outcome of the elections or to pre-rig by denying the public the opportunity to hear voices of reason on the campaign trail," he said.

Reported by Jeremiah Kiplangat, Brian Yonga and Lilian Onyango

Reprieve for Royal Media in row over transmitters - CAMPAIGN NEWS - elections.nation.co.ke

Kabaridi · Feb 4, 2013

such news off-course will attract a great deal of political musings rather than individuals reflecting on the key reason why the frequencies were diverted or re-allocated. Someone is busy peddling press-muzzling. The reason as given by CCK is it was becoming a danger to the aviation industry. Is it logical to muzzle citizen just about the elections?

Nyani Ngabu · Feb 5, 2013

Belinda Obura kahamia lini K24?

Kabaridi · Feb 5, 2013

hivyo ni vizuri, Belinda Obura achukue nafasi hiyo ya kupata zawadi za fulusi kutoka kwa tycoon

Ab-Titchaz · Feb 6, 2013

Ab-Titchaz · Feb 6, 2013

Kabaridi said:
....Is it logical to muzzle citizen just about the elections?

It's not.

Dhuks · Feb 6, 2013

The communications regulator on Saturday shut down six broadcast transmitters belonging to Royal Media Services.

The move affected the broadcasting of six radio stations and Citizen TV services in some locations in the country.

The Director-General of Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), Mr Francis Wangusi, said they confiscated transmitters in Nanyuki, Narok, Migori, Nakuru, Mwingi and other areas he revealed the media house was operating using self-assigned frequencies.

He said the six transmitters were part of 17 put up by RMS in the recent past without a licence from CCK, which regulates the country's spectrum resource, arguing that the broadcaster had acted in contravention of the law.

The transmitters are located in Karue hill, Vuria hill, Muranga-Gatare, Enchoro hill, Mukuyuni and Mambrui in Malindi.

"The broadcast transmitters were being operated using unauthorised frequencies and without the required licences in blatant breach of the law," Mr Wangusi said at a press briefing held at a Nairobi hotel.

"The 17 transmitters in question are being operated using self-assigned or grabbed frequencies and some of them are located in non-designated broadcasting sites," he said, adding that CCK would shut down the other 11 illegal stations to ensure that all players in the broadcasting sector operate within the law.

A further 22 FM and two TV unauthorised frequencies that RMS acquired in the same manner between 2008 and 2012 are pending adjudication in the courts.

RMS chief executive officer Wachira Waruru told the Sunday Nation that they were "surprised" by CCK's action. According to him, matters relating to the transmitters are still pending in court.

"We will take up this matter using legal channels. However, I would not like to get into the details of the matter," Mr Waruru said when asked about the December 3 notice CCK issued to RMS regarding the 17 transmitters.

He added that the shutdown had "minimal effect" on the delivery of their services and that they were carrying on "as usual".

The Jubilee alliance has criticised the shutting down of six transmitters saying the move would interfere with free flow of information.

Coalition running mate William Ruto said the move was ill-timed.

"We want to tell CCK that this is not the time to close down any station. We are in an election year and people want to access as much information as possible so as make an informed decision. They want to make their decision from an informed point," he said at Kiritiri market in Mbeere South constituency during the second day of campaigns in Embu County.

Mr Wangusi said the illegal transmitters were causing interferences to broadcasters in Kenya and the region and that they posed a threat to Kenya's airspace.

"The safety of our airspace was under threat as these illegal transmitters had on a number of occasions caused interferences to communication between pilots and the control tower at our main airports," he said.

According to the CCK, transmission of RMS's Citizen TV was affected in some areas while the radio stations which may have had disruption of services include Muuga FM, Radio Citizen, Maa FM, Inooro FM and Musyi FM.

The notice directed RMS to cease operating the unauthorised frequencies "or face the full force of the law".

Citizen protests as CCK vows to shut down 11 other stations - News - nation.co.ke

Guys your cheerleading for cord alliance should not blind you from some facts
*Cck did not wake up one day and decide to shut the transmitters, they gave out a notice dated 3rd December 2012 of their intent to do so.
* By that time Sk. Macharia had not publicly declared that he supports cord so the argument that the govt is doing this with cord in mind holds no water.
* William Ruto saying that the government this or that makes sense but when it is Raila and Kalonzo saying it we are left to wonder what the term govt implies.
* Cck has not been condoning the acts of RMS as alleged by someone here, there is a court case on the same offence involving 22 more transmitters that cck cannot handle until the case is determined.

Ab-Titchaz · Feb 9, 2013

Don't prosecute Royal Media, orders Tobiko

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko. Photo/FILE NATION MEDIA GROUP

By LILLIAN ONYANGO laonyango@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Thursday, February 7 2013 at 22:30

The Director of Public Prosecutions has ordered the communications regulator not to press any charges against Royal Media Services and its bosses.

In a letter sent to the Communications Commission of Kenya on Thursday, Mr Keriako Tobiko also asked the regulator to provide his office with all materials it collected while investigating RMS and its chairman S.K. Macharia for using illegal frequencies.

"In the meantime, I direct that no investigative agency should take any precipitate step to charge RMS and Mr Macharia or any of its employees until I have received and reviewed the requested material and directed otherwise," the DPP said in the letter addressed to CCK Director General Francis Wangusi.

Mr Tobiko said he was guided by Article 157 of the Constitution which gives him the obligation to ensure that any exercise of the State powers of prosecution by him does not include an abuse of the legal process.

A copy of the letter was copied to the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Criminal Investigations Directorate.

This comes two days after High Court David Majanja gave the CCK the green light to act against RMS saying the regulator followed the law when it shut down six transmitters owned by the company last Saturday.

Also, Mr Majanja refused to extend orders that had earlier granted in favour of the media house stopping the regulator from shutting down any more of its broadcasting transmitters.

Through lawyer Wambua Kilonzo, CCK argued that it discovered that RMS allocated itself frequencies and continues to use them, an act that prompted the regulator to take action against the company.

On Saturday, Mr Wangusi said the six transmitters were part of 17 put up by RMS in the recent past without a licence from CCK, which regulates the country's spectrum resource, arguing that the broadcaster had acted in contravention of the law.

Don

The Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) shuts down Royal Media Services broadcast transmitters

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