Apply for a broadcasting licence (radio, TV, cable or subscription)
Communications Authority of Kenya · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Fill CA's broadcasting application form, attach a sworn affidavit and your company documents, pay the application fee on eCitizen (ca.ecitizen.go.ke) and submit at CA Centre, a CA regional office or broadcastlicensing@ca.go.ke. Radio and TV stations that need a frequency can only apply when CA advertises available frequencies.
- Fee
- KSh 5,000Commercial free-to-air radio: application feeKSh 100,000Commercial free-to-air radio: initial licence fee (paid after approval)KSh 5,000Commercial free-to-air TV: application feeKSh 100,000Commercial free-to-air TV: initial licence fee (paid after approval)KSh 1,000Community radio: application feeKSh 15,000Community radio: initial licence fee (paid after approval)KSh 1,000Community TV: application feeKSh 30,000Community TV: initial licence fee (paid after approval)KSh 5,000Subscription broadcasting (cable, satellite, terrestrial, IP): application feeKSh 100,000Subscription broadcasting (cable, satellite, terrestrial, IP): initial licence fee (paid after approval)
- Where
- Pay on eCitizen (ca.ecitizen.go.ke); submit at CA Centre, Waiyaki Way, a CA regional office, or broadcastlicensing@ca.go.ke
What you need
- Cover letter to the Director General on your letterhead
- Affidavit naming the licence category, with certified copies of your documents
- Certificate of incorporation or registration
- CR12 not older than 2 months
- ID or passport bio page copies for all directors and shareholders
- Valid Tax Compliance Certificate
- Business name or trademark certificate for your station's name
Steps
- If you need an FM or TV frequency, wait for CA to advertise available frequencies and apply within that window. Cable TV and subscription services can apply any time.
- Fill the broadcasting form, tick your licence category and swear an affidavit enclosing certified copies of your documents.
- Pay the application fee on eCitizen at ca.ecitizen.go.ke.
- Submit at CA Centre, Waiyaki Way, any CA regional office, or email broadcastlicensing@ca.go.ke with your name and licence category in the subject.
- CA's licensing committee reviews it, publishes it in the Kenya Gazette for at least 30 days, then the Board decides. If approved, you get an offer and pay the licence fee.
Watch out
- Applications for FM or TV frequencies sent outside a CA advert are not considered.
- Commercial and subscription licences also pay a yearly operating fee of 0.4% of turnover or KSh 80,000, whichever is higher.
- Your CR12 must be less than 2 months old when you apply.
Who can apply
- Companies and other entities registered in Kenya (you need a certificate of incorporation or registration).
- Foreign companies need a Certificate of Compliance from Kenya's Registrar of Companies.
- Government agencies can apply with the law or gazette notice that created them.
Official sources (5)
- License Application Forms & Fees ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Licensing Procedures ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Application Form for Broadcasting Licences ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Broadcasting Services Market Structure and Fee Schedule WEF 1st July 2018 ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Communications Authority of Kenya - eCitizen ca.ecitizen.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026