Activist Sues CAK, Gov’t Over Digital Migration

Activist Okiya Omtata sued the three alongside thirteen others for switching off the free-to-air television channels.

In a petition filed at the High Court, activist Okiya Omtata argued that the fundamental rights and freedoms of Kenyans secured in the Constitution have been violated by the switch off.

He argues that the Supreme Court verdict did not order the respondents to switch off free-to-air TV services which Kenyans depend on for their rights to access information.

He further argues that the switch off dates were not cast on stone.

He has since requested the court to issue a temporary order reinstating TV services across the country. Terming the matter as urgent, Omtata has requested the court to hear and determine the matter within 14 days.

The signals for three channels, Citizen TV, KTN and NTV, were switched off on Saturday plunging the country into a partial media blackout.

While CAK wants the affected media houses to allow their frequencies to be carried by Signet and Pang for free, the Africa Digital Network (ADN), which is a consortium of Royal Media Services, Nation Media Group and the standard Group Limited, wants more time to deliver their own set boxes and carry their own frequencies.

By Benjamin Wafula