Nairobi, KENYA: The Communication Commission of Kenya has shut down six Royal Media Services broadcast transmitters.
The transmitters in Nakuru, Narok, Mukuyuni (Makueni) and Mabrui (Malindi) were being operated without a licence and using unauthorised frequencies.
A further 22 FM and 2 TV unauthorised frequencies which are said to have been illegally acquired by Royal Media Services between 2008 and 2012 are pending adjudication in the courts.
The six are part of 17 transmitters put up illegally by Royal Media Services in the recent past without a licence from CCK, and therefore in contravention of the law. Some of the transmitters are located in non-designated broadcasting sites thus causing interferences to other critical services including aviation.
While addressing the media, CCK Director General Francis W. Wangusi said the illegal transmitters were causing interferences to broadcasters in Kenya and the region, and interfering with avionic communication thus threatening the safety of Kenya’s airspace.
“In some instance, the interferences are so intense that the services of other broadcasters using duly authorised frequencies have been rendered completely inoperable,” said Wangusi.
Section 35 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, outlaws the setting up and operation of communications apparatus without authorization from CCK.
The Commission shall in the next few days shut down the remaining 11 illegal stations to ensure that all players in the broadcasting sector operate within the law.
The two were suspended alongside Njoro OCPD Peter Njeru Nthiga to pave way for investigations over the saga that has tainted the image of the Police Service.
M’mbijiwe has been subsequently replaced by Levin Mwandi, who is the Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Rift Valley.
The other suspended officers have also been replaced.
The John Kavulundi led Police Service Commission said that the investigation into the saga will be carried out by a three member commission.
The commission will have representatives from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHCR), Public Service Commission (PSC) and a representative from the office of the Attorney General.
NPSC said that a detailed audit of the police force will commence immediately in order to help mop out ghost workers in the force and help restore public trust.
The audit will seek to confirm the number of police officers in the force, their qualifications and their ranks.
NPSC said the probe team will complete the investigations in 21 days upon which it will submit a report of its findings and recommendations.
The statement by NPSC comes barely a day after reports emerged that the 'fake cop' Joshua Waiganjo, had a hand in the Baragoi massacre where over 40 police officers were brutally killed by bandits.
The statement also comes a day after a form three student was arraigned in court and charged with impersonation of an OCPD and attempting to extort money from three members of parliament from Ukambani region among them Assistant Minister David Musila.
On Saturday, President Mwai Kibaki ordered investigations into Waiganjo's saga.
In a terse statement from State House, the Head of State ordered the probe team to submit a written report within 10 days from the day of commencement of the investigations.
By Koome Kimonye and Maureen Murimi
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