Ready for December 13 digital switch?
City residents have expressed concern over the TV digital migration. Some have termed it expensive and an inconvenience.
In a gazette notice published by Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK), Nairobi residents with TVs must have a digital set top box by December 13 in order to continue watching any programmes.
However, many still insist that the decision to turn from analogue to digital has caught them unawares.
Alex Chogo, a Lang’ata resident said going digital was expensive. He said he couldn’t understand why the government allowed the move without consulting Kenyans.
“Why should I pay for what to watch when there is rent, food, electricity, water and other things to worry about, considering the VAT Act?” he asked.
Kate Ambitho, a business lady argued that the digital migration will cause a lot of inconveniences.
“Some people can only afford rent of Sh2,000. You pile more miseries on them when you force them to purchase a Sh5,000 decorder,” she said.
Ms Ambitho said there was no need of forcing people to pay in order to watch television.
A shop attendant at a Star Times, one of the companies supplying decorders alongsinde Gotv, Zuku and DsTV advised Nairobians to purchase decoders only from authorised dealers.
Judy Akeyo said Star Times has set up two transmitters in Nairobi, one in Limuru and another in Upper Hill.
The transmitters serve a radius of 100 kilometres. They supply two types of decoders going for Sh3,499 and Sh4,999.
The digital migration date has been postponed several times.