The airwaves in Nairobi are busier than most listeners might imagine. Although the FM dial, ranging from 87.5 to 108.0 MHz, appears to have ample space on paper, it is nearly full in major urban areas. Each radio station occupies 200 kHz, and with layering of licenses, interference buffers, and existing commercial stations, the available spectrum seems to be a finished product.
In response to this situation, the Communications Authority of Kenya has launched a 12-month pilot project for digital sound broadcasting in Nairobi. This marks the country’s inaugural live public transmission of digital radio. While the project is small in scale, its potential implications are significant.
At first glance, digital radio may seem like a simple technological upgrade. It involves converting analogue audio into compressed digital data, bundling multiple stations into a single multiplex, and transmitting them over VHF Band III, which spans from 174 to 230 MHz. Listeners can navigate through station names rather than tuning into specific frequencies.
However, the real significance of this initiative lies in its implications for spectrum scarcity, broadcasting economics, and access to Kenya’s radio market.
Urban Kenya’s FM band is saturated—this is not an exaggeration. When regulators declare VHF Band II fully allocated in major coverage areas, they highlight a critical market limitation: no extra frequency channels are available without increasing the risk of interference.
Traditionally, FM broadcasting has operated on a model of one station per 200 kHz channel. In contrast, digital radio disrupts this model by allowing a single multiplex to accommodate multiple stations within the same bandwidth. The current trial in Nairobi features 14 radio programs broadcasting via one DAB+ network established by Mast Rental in January 2026.
This new framework changes the narrative: instead of a single frequency for a single voice, a single digital channel can support a cluster of stations. Consequently, the spectrum becomes a shared resource rather than a finite commodity.
Analogue broadcasting requires each station to maintain its own transmission setup, including tower leases, power consumption, site maintenance, and engineering staff. This model incurs high capital costs, especially for stations outside Nairobi.
Digital radio centralises the transmission process. In many regions, a single multiplex operator manages transmitters and rents capacity to various stations, allowing studios to remain unchanged. Ultimately, whether the signal is transmitted via FM or as compressed data, the economics of transmission change.
In theory, shared infrastructure should lower each station’s costs. Nonetheless, this depends heavily on pricing structures. If access to multiplex services becomes too costly, smaller broadcasters may face new challenges.
The regulator has hinted at setting aside capacity for community broadcasters at nominal costs—a term that warrants careful examination. “Nominal” often carries political connotations, and the actual expenses may present a technical challenge.
For listeners, digital radio offers enhanced sound quality and reduced interference. There will be no more static when driving under power lines or drifting frequencies between towns. Listeners can select stations by name instead of memorising numbers.
DAB and DAB+ receivers do not require internet access and use terrestrial transmission like FM. In contrast, streaming radio applications on smartphones operate in a different ecosystem that relies on broadband rather than traditional broadcasting.
Currently, Kenya has not established a date for the switch-off of the analogue system. For now, digital radio will coexist with FM, a relationship that could persist for years. However, this could lead to division among audiences, with some listeners gaining access to enhanced programming while others remain restricted to congested analogue frequencies.
The rollout of digital sound broadcasting is part of a broader discussion of spectrum reform in Kenya’s telecommunications sector. Regulators are examining various aspects, including pricing models, allocation frameworks, and efficiency guidelines. Broadcasting inefficiencies have been entrenched, with the 200 kHz-per-station model being overly generous given digital standards.
Transitioning radio services to VHF Band III alleviates pressure on Band II, but it does not expand the spectrum. Instead, it reallocates existing resources for different purposes.
This distinction is crucial. Digital radio isn’t about creating new frequencies; it’s about maximising the existing spectrum and distributing it more effectively.
Kenya is home to over 300 licensed radio stations, which reach approximately 98% of households. Community stations often operate on limited budgets, making transmission costs a determining factor for sustainability.
Digital multiplexing presents a theoretical opportunity for niche, regional, or thematic channels, such as a dedicated sports station or a language-specific service for minority communities—options that typically wouldn’t justify their own FM frequency.
However, the risks associated with centralising infrastructure must not be overlooked.
