NAIROBI, Kenya – Nine television stations have been fined and ordered to immediately stop airing illegal gambling content, as the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) cracks down on what it calls “blatant disregard” for broadcasting laws.
In a statement on Monday, the regulator said it had slapped each broadcaster with a Sh500,000 fine and given them 12 hours to comply or risk facing tougher penalties — including revocation of their operating licences.
The CA specifically called out Yahweh Media Services among the sanctioned broadcasters, accusing the stations of continuing to promote unlicensed betting and prize competitions, often disguised as religious programming, despite clear directives to stop.
“Even with the directives to suspend advertising of all gambling-related content, a review by the Authority in the second week of May 2025 revealed the continued airing of such prohibited content by some broadcasters,” CA said.
The move follows a March 13 notice to 33 broadcasters and a subsequent general advisory issued on April 23, warning of consequences for airing gambling ads without proper licensing.
According to the CA, the sanctioned stations defied both communications.
The enforcement comes in the wake of a damning NTV exposé, Sacred Swindle: Inside the Gospel of Greed on Kenya’s Airwaves, which revealed how some faith-based TV channels were profiting from thinly-veiled betting promotions disguised as “blessings” or “miracles.”
The investigation featured pastors encouraging viewers to send money for a chance to win “faith rewards,” with one televangelist reportedly earning up to Sh700,000 a day from unsuspecting viewers.
The exposé sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of religious broadcasters, many of whom operate with little oversight.
Critics say the stations prey on vulnerable audiences, using spiritual language to mask commercial intent.
Under Section 83A of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, the CA is empowered to penalize non-compliant broadcasters and suspend or revoke licences for repeat offences.
“The Authority instituted a notice to issue a penalty… with a 12-hour ultimatum to cease all non-compliant broadcasts or face additional sanctions,” the statement added.
