Standard Media Group is on the verge of losing its broadcast licenses over a Sh48 million debt owed to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). This comes as the company faces financial woes, salary arrears and planned protests by former employees.

CA to Revoke Licenses Over Non-Payment

According to a letter dated April 9, 2025 from CA Director General David Mugonyi, the authority will revoke all broadcast licenses issued to Standard Media Group. This is because the company has not remitted licensing fees and Universal Service Fund (USF) levy despite a six-month grace period that expired on March 24, 2025.

CA has also rejected the company’s debt repayment plan saying it was not satisfactory. The regulator will gazette the revocation and effectively strip Standard Media of its right to broadcast.

“This letter serves to inform you that the Authority is proceeding to publish a notification on the revocation of all the broadcast licenses issued to the Standard Group PLC in the Kenya Gazette,” reads the CA’s notice.

Standard’s Response: We Have a Repayment Plan

Standard Group has disputed CA’s move saying they have a formal repayment plan with the regulator. The company deposited Sh10 million in December 2024, Sh4 million in January and Sh4 million in February 2025.

“We entered and signed an agreement with the Communications Authority that we will be paying Sh2.5 million a month. We even increased it to Sh4 million,” the company said.

Standard Media has moved to the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal seeking an injunction to stop the gazette notice.

Financial Woes and Employee Unrest

This is not the first time the company is facing troubles. Last week, former employees issued a protest notice to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander saying they will demonstrate between Tuesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 17 over unpaid salary arrears.

The protests will start at Airtel offices, proceed to General Motors and culminate at the Standard Group’s Mombasa Road offices.Some current and former employees have not received salaries for up to 10 months and internal discontent is boiling over.

Financial Situation Worsening

In its latest half-year financial results, Standard Media Group posted a net loss of Sh111.6 million. Revenues also declined by 16.8% from Sh1.3 billion to Sh1.05 billion.

The Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has also condemned the delay in payment of salaries, with Secretary General Eric Oduor saying staff have “gone through hell” during a period of high inflation and economic hardship.

What’s Next?

If CA gazettes the revocation, Standard Group will lose its operational licenses, and its TV and radio services will be affected. The decision will also raise questions on media freedom and sustainability of legacy media in a digital and competitive landscape.