Standard Group Blasts Govt Over Planned Shutdown of KTN and Radio Maisha

The Standard Group PLC has blasted a tribunal decision that backed the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) ‘s plans to revoke six of its broadcasting licences, including KTN, Radio Maisha, and Spice FM.

In a statement issued on March 27, 2026, Standard Group acknowledged that it owes outstanding regulatory fees.

However, the group stated that the arrears came about when the government of Kenya failed to honour its payment for services rendered to them

“Yes, the Group has outstanding regulatory fees. But these arrears were never settled, not because of bad faith, but because the same Government that now seeks to shut us down has itself failed to honour its obligations to The Standard Group PLC,” read part of the statement.

According to the media house, to date, the Government of Kenya, through various ministries, state corporations, and county governments, owes the Group in excess of Ksh1.2 billion for advertising and media services rendered. over several years.

These are services provided in good faith, often at the request of State agencies, but have remained unpaid.

Standard Group, unmoved, calls out the government 

Therefore, the media house called on the government to pay its obligations, and in turn, the group will settle its dues.

Further, Standard had expressed a willingness to regularize its position, but the Government’s delayed payments created financial strain, making it impossible to prioritize regulatory fees over keeping journalists employed and stations on air.

“The Government cannot hold a knife to our throat with one hand while extending an empty promise of payment with the other. The remedy is simple: Pay what you owe The Standard Group, and we will pay what we owe the CA,” read part of the statement.

Also Read: Govt to Switch Off KTN, Radio Maisha and Spice FM

Plan to Halt Shutdown of KTN, Radio Maisha, and Spice FM

The Standard Group said it acknowledges the decision of the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal but noted that it has not yet received the full ruling, limiting its ability to respond in detail.

The Group, however, maintained that the matter is “far from concluded” and confirmed it will move to the High Court to contest the decision.

It urged the regulator to refrain from enforcing the revocation, citing provisions of the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA), which provide for a stay of execution once an appeal is filed.

Also Read: Standard Group Links Its Financial Struggles to Uhuru–Ruto Regimes

According to the company, the law bars enforcement of tribunal decisions until the appeal process is exhausted, warning that any premature action by the Authority would violate both its constitutional rights and the public’s right to information.

Standard Group questioned the basis for licence revocation over debt, arguing that other recovery mechanisms should have been considered.

It further warned that any attempt to gazette the revocation or shut down its stations before the appeal is determined would prompt immediate legal action.

The group also raised concerns over what it termed a broader threat to media freedom, warning that the move could set a precedent for using regulatory authority to silence media at large.