Anyone wishing to transmit using radio frequencies in Kenya — from broadcasters to mobile operators to individual radio enthusiasts — requires a Frequency Spectrum Licence from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), governed by the Frequency Spectrum Fee Schedule effective 1st July 2018.
General Application Fee
A flat application fee of KES 1,000 applies to each application for a frequency, regardless of service type.
Annual Frequency Fees by Service Type (Selected Examples)
| Service | Annual Fee (MF/HF) | Annual Fee (VHF/UHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Aeronautical Station Licence | KES 4,800 | KES 4,800 |
| Aircraft Station Licence | KES 4,800 | KES 4,800 |
| Fixed Station (Mobile Service) | KES 18,700 | KES 5,000 |
| Mobile Station Licence | KES 5,610 | KES 2,900 |
| Portable Station Licence | KES 5,610 | KES 2,900 |
| Coast Station Licence | KES 18,700 | KES 5,000 |
| Ship Station Licence | KES 5,610 | KES 2,900 |
| Radio Amateur Licence | KES 2,000 | KES 2,000 |
| Citizen Band Radio Licence | One-time KES 1,000 | N/A |
More complex services — FM/TV broadcasting, terrestrial fixed links, mobile wireless access, and satellite earth stations — use formula-based calculations factoring in bandwidth, geographical congestion zone, and number of frequencies, rather than flat fees.
Geographical Zone Factor
CA splits Kenya into two frequency-charging zones: Zone A (high-congestion, generally southern/urban areas) and Zone B (low-congestion, generally northern areas), with Zone A typically attracting a higher zone multiplier in formula-based fees.
Requirements
- Technical equipment specifications and intended frequency band
- Coordination to avoid interference with existing licensees
- Compliance with international frequency allocation tables (ITU)
Frequency fees in Kenya range from simple flat annual charges for personal radio services to complex formula-driven fees for broadcasters and mobile operators — always confirm the specific formula or rate applicable to your exact equipment and service type directly with CA.
