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{
    "id": 231748,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/231748/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 146,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Wamwere",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Information and Communications",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 352,
        "legal_name": "Koigi Wamwere",
        "slug": "koigi-wamwere"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) Prospective broadcasters initially apply to the Ministry for a broadcasting permit. After consideration, the successful applicants are issued with a broadcasting permit which specifies the coverage area. The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) issues available frequencies after the applicant provides necessary data. The CCK identifies the frequency and advises the applicant about frequency fees, technical November 30, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 4085 and other operating parameters associated with the frequency. The CCK also ensures the proposed broadcast equipment is type approved. Once all the CCK's conditions are fulfilled, the applicant is advised that since there is high demand for frequencies, the frequency should be activated within 12 months and those who fail to do so, their frequencies are repossessed. If they remain under-utilised, they are given to other applicants on the waiting list. (b) The Government gave Royal Media Services frequencies to broadcast nationwide because they applied for them. There were no good reasons as to why the media house could not be given the frequencies. The Royal Media Services is a bona fide Kenyan investor with the same rights as anybody else, and no one was denied broadcast frequencies permit at the time it was applied for. The initial broadcasting permit was issued to Royal Media Services on 22nd April, 1997 to broadcast in Nairobi, Nyeri and Mombasa. On 17th April, 2001, the Communications Commission of Kenya cancelled the permit under political pressure. Royal Media Services took the Communications Commission of Kenya to court and an injunction for status quo to remain was awarded. However, Royal Media Services was ordered to deposit Kshs6,410,961.30 to court. In February, 2003, Radio Media Services was given a provisional broadcasting licence to cover all the areas that it had requested. Royal Media Services does not have a monopoly on broadcasting. The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has 104 sound broadcasting frequencies, while Radio Media Services has 62 sound frequencies. If anything, it is the KBC that had a monopoly that other media houses like Royal Media Services have helped to break. In addition, besides KBC and Royal Media Services, 64 other companies have been assigned FM sound broadcast frequencies in the last ten years to operate in various parts of the country. Similarly, 21 companies have been assigned TV broadcast frequencies for operation in various parts of the country. Some of these companies include the KTN, the Nation Media Group, Capital Group Limited, East African Television Network, STV, BBC World Service, Sauti ya Rehema, et cetera ."
}