SECTOR 3

has a long history and structure and capacity for wider reach. The broadcaster
has a history of live coverage of national events with little digressions. Having
the best Outside Broadcast (OB) infrastructure has enabled the Corporation to
collaborate with other broadcasting outlets in broadcasting in real time, events of
national importance.

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator.

3

Country meets many aspects of indicator but
progress may be too recent to judge.

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has
been doing so over time.

Average score: 			

3.3 (2005=3.8; 2007=3.3)

3.12 Community broadcasting enjoys special
promotion given its potential to broaden access by
communities to the airwaves.
Analysis
The Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act 200826, in the amendment of
second 2 (4) (interpretation), defines a community broadcasting as a service that:
(a) is fully controlled by a non-profit entity and carried on for non-profitable
purposes; (b) serves a particular community; (c) encourages members of the
community served to participate in the selection and provision of programmes to
be broadcast in the course of such broadcasting service; and (d) may be funded by
donations, grants, sponsorships or membership fees, or by any combination of the
aforementioned.
The Community broadcasting sub-sector has not been given due attention. There
are no incentives for the sector despite the fact that proponents have demanded
for such, for example, tax rebates, scaled annual frequency fess, a dedicated
number of frequencies on the spectrum etc. Kenya compares unfavourably with
some African countries that have affirmative action where community radio is
concerned. Such countries include:
26 The Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act 2008 that amended the Kenya Communications Act,
1998

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2009

49

Select target paragraph3