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The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has kicked off the country’s first-ever Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) pilot for radio in Nairobi, signaling the beginning of a transition to digital radio transmission.
The launch aligns with World Radio Day 2026 and comes at a time when FM frequencies in major towns are nearly exhausted, leaving little room for new stations and increasing signal interference.
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Radio continues to be one of Kenya’s most widely accessed media platforms, reaching roughly 98 percent of households and supporting over 300 licensed stations.
However, the conventional FM spectrum (87.5–108.0 MHz) is largely full in urban centres. To address this, CA introduced a Digital Sound Broadcasting framework in 2023, centred on Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) within VHF Band III (174–230 MHz) and Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) in the HF band.
In 2025, the regulator approved Signet Signal Distributors Ltd and Mast Rental Services to set up pilot networks. By January 2026, Mast Rental Services had switched on the first DAB+ trial network, currently transmitting 14 radio stations across Nairobi.
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According to CA, digital broadcasting enables multiple stations to share a single frequency block, cutting transmission costs and opening opportunities for new players. Community stations are set to benefit from dedicated capacity at more affordable carriage rates.
Listeners are expected to enjoy clearer audio, reduced interference, and access to a wider range of stations, including specialised content. The digital platform can also offer added features such as programme guides and station details.
The Authority emphasised that digital radio will, for now, run alongside FM services rather than replace them, and no timeline has been set for switching off analogue broadcasting.
The rollout will happen in phases, beginning with the Mombasa–Nairobi–Kisumu corridor and other key urban areas. A 12-month trial period will evaluate coverage, quality of service, and audience adoption.
