Drop Analogue, and Digitize: The Practical Challenges in Kenya's Digital Migration Programme

Abstract

The Regional Radio Broadcasting (RRC) conference held in Geneva in 2006 culminated in a treaty calling on all nations, Kenya included, shifting to digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting by June 17, 2015. This paper provides a situational analysis of the practical implications of the digital transition in Kenya. To migrate to digital broadcasting, Kenya (government, broadcast companies, and media consumers) had to purchase equipment compatible with the digital platform, a move that proved costly to the majority of Kenyans given the high costs of purchase, installation, and maintenance of digital equipment. The research established that Kenya was not ready for the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. The review found out that most of the local media houses as well as the majority of Kenyans were not ready to embark on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. These results would enable major players in the broadcasting sector to understand the course and implications of digital migration. The research also presents a better foundation upon which other scholars in the field of communication can build their studies and delve into different aspects of the topic at hand.