MPs blame government over digital migration row

The offices of the Communications Authority of Kenya in Nairobi. FILE PHOTO | SALATON NJAU |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Legislators also fault industry regulator over continued blackout.
• NMG chairman objects to having a foreign firm distributing content belonging to local broadcasters.

By JEREMIAH KIPLANG'AT
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Legislators have faulted the government and the communications regulator for escalating the digital migration dispute and siding with a foreign company over local broadcasters.

The MPs on Thursday told senior figures from the Nation Media Group, Standard Group and Royal Media Services that many Kenyans continue to remain in the dark after the country's leading stations were switched off by the Communications Authority of Kenya.

“Kenyans are really frustrated. I am speaking on behalf of Kenyans who do not understand the technical things we have been hearing.

“The courts and the government have not been able to amicably resolve this matter. Parliament should find a solution in order to allow Kenyans to watch their favourite stations,” said Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi.

Nation Media Group chairman Wilfred Kiboro, appearing before the National Assembly's Information Committee sitting at Continental House, Nairobi, said the three companies did not want to present their content to a foreign entity to distribute on their behalf.

“We are not afraid of competition. Our brands are strong enough to be able to withstand any competition… The government should be acting in the best interest of its citizens and protecting their businesses,” he said, adding that the regulator had targeted the three companies for punishment because they were not willing to give their content to Pan African Network Group (Pang), a company licensed to distribute content belonging to the three.

MIGRATING TO PAY TV

Standard Group chief executive Sam Shollei accused the government of forcing Kenyans to adopt Pay TV under the illusion that they were receiving free services.

“What we plan is to move Kenyans to Free-to-Air TV but right now we are migrating them to Pay TV,” he said.

Suba MP John Mbadi urged the committee to act quickly and present the report to the House.

“We should not be taken to the 1980s where we only watch KBC… those of us who don’t want to be subjected to KBC are frustrated, we want KTN back, we want NTV back, we want Citizen back,” said Mr Mbadi.