The Standard Group PLC, one of Kenya’s leading media houses and the owner of KTN, is facing a looming shutdown of its broadcasting operations following a move by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to revoke all its broadcast licences. The CA cites failure to pay regulatory fees amounting to Ksh48.7 million as the reason behind the drastic measure.
In a letter dated April 9, signed by CA Director General David Mugonyi, the regulator announced its intention to publish a revocation notice in the Kenya Gazette, effectively stripping the media house of its broadcasting rights.
The CA accused Standard Group of defaulting on its financial obligations, which include licence fees and contributions to the Universal Service Fund (USF).
However, Standard Group has pushed back against the accusations, terming the move not only unjust but politically motivated.
The company claims it had already entered into a repayment agreement with the CA in December 2024 and has been making consistent payments to settle the regulatory debt.
According to the media house, it made an initial payment of Ksh10 million in December, followed by Ksh4 million each in January and February 2025. This repayment plan, originally pegged at Ksh2.5 million per month, was voluntarily increased to Ksh4 million by the company to demonstrate goodwill.
Standard Group Chief Executive Editor, Chaacha Mwita, expressed disbelief over the CA’s rejection of the arrangement, calling it an act of “ill-will and malice.”
“We have been adhering to the plan. So, anything outside of that smacks of ulterior motives. We have no option but to fight it,” Mwita said during a public statement aired during KTN’s 9 pm bulletin.
The row, however, goes beyond unpaid fees. Standard Group is alleging that the government’s move is a veiled attempt to silence its critical reporting on the Kenya Kwanza administration, particularly its exposés on alleged corruption and governance failures.
“What we publish and carry is the reality of the day. We are not going to bend the truth to please those in power,” Mwita said defiantly.
“We have a duty to hold a mirror to society.”
The company also highlighted a glaring contradiction: while it is being pursued for Ksh48 million in dues, the government itself owes the media house over Ksh1.2 billion in unpaid advertising fees from various ministries, state agencies, and county governments.
As tensions escalate, Standard Group has filed a case with the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal, seeking an injunction to stop the publication of the Gazette notice.
Mwita further expressed hope that the tribunal would act swiftly to halt what he termed an attack on press freedom.
This is not the first clash between the media house and the government. In March, the Ministry of Irrigation cancelled a media contract previously awarded to Standard Group, despite a competitive bidding process.
The company has also faced coordinated online attacks, including fake headlines and threats to journalists—allegedly orchestrated by hired online trolls to discredit its credibility.
Despite the pressure, Standard Group has vowed to stand its ground.
“We are not going anywhere. Since our founding in 1902, we’ve championed bold journalism. We will not be cowed into silence. The public deserves the truth — and we will continue to deliver it,” Mwita affirmed.
