Relief For Standard Group As Court Issues Fresh Orders To CA
On Wednesday, April 16, the High Court temporarily stopped the Communications Authority of Kenya’s revocation of Standard Group’s broadcasting licenses, with a hearing scheduled for May 2.
The current event comes after KTN’s owner, The Standard Group PLC, alleged that the government, through the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), intended to terminate its broadcasting license.
The media firm announced during the 9 p.m. bulletin that it had received a notice from the CA notifying the loss of its license for allegedly failing to pay a Ksh43 million charge.
The media outlet, which filed a plea with the High Court, is set for a reprieve following the court’s most recent directive.
The High Court on Wednesday, April 16, issued a temporary order halting the revocation of Standard Group's broadcasting licenses by the Communications Authority of Kenya, pending a hearing scheduled for May 2.
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) April 16, 2025
This development follows claims by The Standard Group PLC , the… pic.twitter.com/QTT7fyqCMP
The corporation announced that it has negotiated with the government on a monthly payments arrangement of Ksh2.5 million for the matter.
However, the media site boosted the monthly payout plan to Ksh4 million, which it claims was honoured.
Despite the initial agreement, the company alleged that it got a letter dated April 9 and signed by CA Director General David Mugonyi suggesting preparations to terminate its operating license.
However, Standard Group’s Chief Executive Editor, Chacha Mwita, claims that the government is using the debt issue to scare the company for supposedly exposing the ills of President William Ruto’s administration.
He did, however, state that the corporation has already gone to court for an injunction against the publication of the notice to revoke the media house’s broadcasting licences.
Kenya Kwisha Failed Government is Attempting to Blackmail and Silence the @StandardKenya, for Their Bold News Coverage across the Country but Chief Executive Editor Chaacha Mwita has told them to bring it on. GoK owes them Ksh 1.2 billion but they're Demanding Ksh 48 million by… pic.twitter.com/hmo8ZLAUBW
— Coletta Aluda (@Colettaaluda_1) April 14, 2025
Mwita, while bemoaning the closure threats, accused the government of failing to honour its debt of more than Ksh1.2 billion owing to the company from advertising.
“What I always say is that what we publish and carry is the reality of the day, so if the reality changes, then the headlines will change,” Mwita said.
“We are not going to report things that are not the reality just to make some people happy.”
The Gideon Moi-owned station’s reportage has sparked strong resentment from Ruto supporters, with many criticizing its journalistic ethics.
Recently, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot blasted the media for its coverage of the President.
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The Senate Majority Leader criticized critical coverage of Ruto during his speech at the funeral of former Member of Parliament John Koech.
The senator cited that it was “ridicule” and a lack of respect towards the Office of the President.
Cheruiyot asserted that the country had been on a good trajectory since Ruto took power and that the coverage of the Head of State was uncalled for.
“What we see happening in the newspapers, even me as someone who studied journalism, what I am reading in the media, it is not journalism anymore,” Cheruiyot stated.
Relief For Standard Group As Court Issues Fresh Orders To CA
