Seek Digital Migration Extension, MP Tells Regulator

Mbeere North Member of Parliament Muriuki Njagagua has called upon the regulatory body to seek an extension of the global digital migration set for June this year.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) set June 2015 as the global deadline for switch off from the analogue signal. However, countries – especially the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) – are allowed to appeal.

The legislator says that it is important for all media houses to get ample time to prepare for the migration. He went ahead to accuse the regulator of forcefully shutting down three media houses.

“It is unconstitutional for the Communications Authority of Kenya to switch off the Analogue signals for Citizen TV, KTN, NTV and QTV whereas there is still time for them to migrate," argued Mr. Njagagua.

He questioned on to why CAK was in 'so much hurry' to migrate and switch off TV stations which have already requested for only three more months to migrate.

According to the legislator it is wrong to deny Kenyans access to information which is guaranteed under Article 34 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

By Tom Omulo.