Kenya switches on digital radio trial as FM frequencies hit capacity

Nairobi radio listeners might soon notice a change in how they find their favorite stations. On February 13, 2026, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) activated the country's first trial Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) signal in Nairobi. The launch happened on World Radio Day, a date chosen to highlight the transition from traditional analogue signals to a more efficient digital system.

For years, the FM dial in Nairobi has been crowded. The VHF Band II, which ranges from 87.5 to 108.0 MHz, is effectively full in the capital and other major cities. This saturation makes it difficult for new radio stations to start broadcasting. It also causes signal interference, where two stations on nearby frequencies bleed into each other, frustrating listeners and broadcasters alike.

The technology behind this move is divided into two main categories: Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) and Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM). DAB+ is designed for the VHF Band III, which ranges from 174 to 230 MHz. This is a higher frequency than the standard FM band, which is why it requires new antennas and receivers. DRM, on the other hand, is aimed at the HF band, which is better for long-distance broadcasting that can reach remote rural areas. By testing both, the CA is looking for a solution that works for both high-density cities and the country's vast inland regions.

Unlike the current FM system, where each station needs its own frequency, DAB+ allows up to 20 different radio programs to be carried on a single frequency block. This efficiency is why the CA is pushing the technology. It lowers the barrier to entry for new media houses and reduces the cost of maintaining expensive transmission equipment.

Eng. Leo Boruett, a Director at the CA, said the move responds to a long-standing frequency scarcity. The authority developed the framework for this transition in 2023, but it took until early 2026 to get the trial off the ground. The framework underwent extensive stakeholder engagement involving broadcasters, signal distributors, and government agencies to ensure that everyone was on the same page before the first signal was sent. Two companies, Signet Signal Distributors Ltd and Mast Rental Services Ltd, received the licenses to run the trial networks. Mast Rental Services was the first to go live, currently carrying 14 radio programs across the Nairobi area.

For the average listener, the change is a mixed bag. Digital radio is clearer. It eliminates the static and "hiss" common with FM signals. It also allows for data services, such as song titles, news headlines, and even small images or traffic maps to be displayed on the radio screen. However, old FM radios cannot pick up these signals. To listen to the digital trial, Kenyans will need to buy new digital radio sets or adapters for their existing systems.

The CA is aware of the potential cost to the public. During the 12 month trial period, the authority plans to monitor how many people actually buy the new receivers and whether they are affordable. They are also looking at how well the signal covers different parts of the city. There is a concern that if the receivers are too expensive, digital radio could become a service only for the wealthy, leaving most Kenyans behind.

One of the more interesting parts of the new framework is the reservation of space for community broadcasters. In the old FM system, community stations often struggled to find frequencies or pay the high fees required for a dedicated transmitter. Under the DSB model, signal distribution is separated from content creation. Community groups can rent a slot on a shared digital transmitter at a lower cost, which the CA says will encourage more local and diverse voices on the airwaves. This nominal carriage cost is intended to promote inclusivity in a sector that has been dominated by large media conglomerates.

Broadcasters themselves are also weighing the costs. While the long-term transmission costs are lower, the initial investment in digital equipment is significant. Many stations currently own their own towers and transmitters. Moving to a digital signal distribution model means they will have to pay a third-party company like Signet to carry their audio. This shift in the business model is one of the main reasons the trial is slated to last a full year.

The transition will not happen overnight. The CA clarified that digital radio is currently a complement to FM, not a replacement. There is no set date for an "analogue switch-off" like the one that happened with television. This means FM stations will continue to broadcast as they always have while the digital system grows in the background. This "simulcasting" period is common in other countries that have made the switch, as it allows the market to mature without cutting off millions of listeners.

The rollout is planned in phases. After the Nairobi trial, the CA intends to expand the signal to the "Mombasa-Nairobi-Kisumu" corridor, which covers the most densely populated parts of the country. If the 12-month pilot is successful, it could mark the beginning of the transition for the entire radio sector in Kenya.

Kenya is not alone in this move. Several countries in Europe and Asia have already moved entirely to digital radio or are in the middle of doing so. Norway was the first to switch off its FM network in 2017, and the UK has a significant portion of its listeners on DAB+. By joining this group, Kenya is positioning its media sector for a future where data and audio are increasingly intertwined.

For now, the trial remains a technical experiment. Most Kenyans will continue to tune in to their favorite FM frequencies. But for the 14 stations already broadcasting on the digital trial, the future of Kenyan radio is already here.