Television and radio broadcasting in Kenya is licensed by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) under its Broadcasting Services Market Structure, effective 1st July 2018. Fees vary significantly depending on whether the broadcaster is public, community, or commercial, and whether it is television or radio.
CA Broadcasting Fee Schedule (Selected Categories)
| Licence Category | Duration (Years) | Application Fee (KES) | Initial Licence Fee (KES) | Annual Operating Fee (KES) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public TV (non-commercial) | 10 | 2,500 | 100,000 | 80,000 |
| Public Radio (non-commercial) | 10 | 2,500 | 50,000 | 40,000 |
| Public TV (commercial) | 10 | 5,000 | 100,000 | 0.4% of turnover or 80,000, whichever higher |
| Public Radio (commercial) | 10 | 5,000 | 100,000 | 0.4% of turnover or 80,000, whichever higher |
| Commercial Free-to-Air TV | 10 | 5,000 | 100,000 | 0.4% of turnover or 80,000, whichever higher |
| Commercial Free-to-Air Radio | 10 | 5,000 | 100,000 | 0.4% of turnover or 80,000, whichever higher |
| Community Free-to-Air TV | 10 | 1,000 | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| Community Free-to-Air Radio | 10 | 1,000 | 15,000 | 15,000 |
Additional Frequency Fees Apply
Holding a broadcasting licence does not automatically include the right to broadcast on a specific frequency. Broadcasters must separately secure frequency assignment through CA’s Frequency Spectrum Resources process, which carries its own annual frequency fee calculated by formula based on broadcast type and geographical zone.
Requirements
- Kenyan citizenship/company requirements as applicable to the licence category
- Studio and transmission equipment meeting technical standards
- Content compliance with broadcasting and programming codes
- Frequency availability in the intended coverage area
Application Process
- Choose the correct category (public, community, or commercial; TV or radio)
- Submit the relevant CA application form with the application fee
- CA reviews technical, content, and ownership compliance
- Pay the initial licence fee upon approval
- Pay the annual operating fee each subsequent year, plus separate frequency fees
Community broadcasters enjoy the lowest fee tier, reflecting their public-interest, non-profit role, while commercial TV and radio operators pay turnover-linked annual fees that scale with their commercial success.
