Digital Migration Case Hearing Kicks Off

The Supreme Court judges are expected to hear the appeal by the Attorney General, the Communications Authority, Startimes Television and GOTV from today, Wednesday to Friday before a ruling on the case is made.

Last year the Court of Appeal ordered the government to give Royal Media Services, Nation Media Group and Standard Media Group digital licenses which had been awarded to Pan Africa Network Group (PANG) and Signet, a KBC subsidiary.

The court also stopped Chinese owned Startimes television and GOTV from broadcasting the free to air TV channels from the 3 media houses.

Government lawyers are now arguing that the Appellate Court erred by cancelling an award of a licence already approved by PPARB.

The government further argues that the cancellation of the awarding of the licences to PANG, and Signet would affect investor confidence in Kenya’s nascent ICT industry.

The counsel for government is led by Fred Ojiambo, Wambua Kilonzo and Njoroge Mwangi while the three media houses are represented by Paul Muite, Philip Murgor, Kiragu Kimani and Issa Mansur.