Kenyans have up to December 13 to shift from Analogue TV to digital broadcasting after the government and stakeholders arrived on a new date.
A few days ago, the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) led by its Secretary General Stephen Mutoro withdrew from the Digital Television Committee accusing the government of failing to honour its promises.
The December 13 switch off date has been set for Nairobi and its environs under phase one while switch off for Mombasa, Kisumu,Malindi, Nyeri, Meru, Webuye, Nakuru and Eldoret has been set on March 30 2014 under phase two. The government expects to achieve total migration countrywide by June 30, 2014 before the global deadline of June 2015.
According to the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) Director Francis Wangusi, consumers have been given a three-month grace period to buy the Ksh 3000 set boxes to watch TV after the switch off which have been purchased by only about 500,000 homes.
Kenya had set December 2012 as the deadline for switch over but COFEK successfully challenged the government’s decision in court allowing for more consultations. Tanzania, a member of the East African Community began its digital broadcasting January 2013.
