Editor's Review

CAK Director-General Ezra Chiloba said the Nairobi radio station was discovered operating without a licence during a raid by CAK officers.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has shut down a radio station operating from Nairobi over the lack of required legal documents.

In a press statement by CAK Director-General Ezra Chiloba,  Gituamba FM was discovered operating without a licence during a raid by CAK officers.

"The station has been operating from a residential building at Puma Court, Tena Estate in Nairobi. Gituamba FM was broadcasting without a licence from the Authority, contrary to the Kenya Information and Communication Act, 1998 (KICA)," read the press statement in part.

The owner of the radio Nelson Githinji Ndegwa was arrested during the raid and detained at Buruburu Police Station pending arraignment.

"He will be arraigned in court and charged with establishment of a radio communication station without a valid licence, contrary to Sections 35 (2), 46Q of the KICA," Chiloba added in the statement.

The CAK boss further warned those operating without a licence in the country saying their operations may cause interference of licensed broadcasters and the same time compromise the quality of broadcasting services available to consumers.

"Anyone wishing to provide information and communication services in the country must ensure they obtain appropriate Licenses from the Authority without fail," he said.

The development comes barely a month after Chiloba susped Sasa TV, owned by Bishop James Ng'ang'a, from broadcasting live events over breach of broadcasting rules.