Kenya’s media houses are under pressure to clean up their content or risk losing their broadcasting licences.
14 Days to Comply
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has given radio and TV stations just 14 days to significantly reduce the amount of betting-related content they air.
The crackdown follows mounting public frustration over the flood of gambling promotions across the country’s airwaves.
Viewers and listeners have voiced their concerns, saying betting advertisements and programmes have become excessive and intrusive.
CA’s director general, David Mugonyi, didn’t mince words.
“The Authority has found that many broadcasters have exceeded the approved limits for betting, lottery, and gambling content, violating both their licensing terms and the law,” he said.
He went on to remind media outlets that they are obligated by law to maintain programming standards that are suitable for general audiences and respectful of public decency.
The “Final Warning” – No More Excuses
The warning wasn’t limited to gambling content. The Authority also criticised broadcasters for broader violations, including failure to protect minors and the use of inappropriate advertising.
“This notice is a final warning,” Mugonyi said. “The Authority will not hesitate to take enforcement action should broadcasters disregard the regulations,” the CA boss added.
Stations that will not comply with the latest requirements risk having their licences revoked, as per the Information and Communications Act.
The CA has also made it clear it will no longer accept any more excuses or delays.
This clampdown coincides with Kenya’s wider efforts to reform its gambling industry.
In January, the government enacted the Gambling Control Bill 2023, the long-overdue legislation aimed at regulating an industry that has grown rapidly, often without oversight.
The bill includes a 15% tax on gambling revenue and requires operators to submit a Ksh 200 million ($1.5 million) security deposit.
Lawmakers have also rejected proposals they believed might worsen the situation, including a suggestion to lower the minimum bet to 1 Ksh, which was seen as a potential gateway for underage gambling.
In 2022, the Nairobi City County Betting Lotteries, Gaming Amendment Bill proposed to restrict gambling to five-star hotels with casinos and suggested a four-year jail term plus a fine of $87,519 for operating outside of established hours.
As the clock winds down on the CA’s ultimatum, broadcasters must decide quickly: scale back or risk being taken off the air entirely.