The Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has thrown its weight behind the December 31st digital migration deadline for Nairobi and its environs, advising viewers to be prepared for the change.

"The Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) wishes to advise all Kenyan TV owners and viewers that the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) will soon announce the analogue TV signal switch-off. It is our position that Kenya will finally 'Go Digital' on or by December 31, 2014 for Nairobi and nearby Counties, in the first phase," the federation commented.

Although no date has been confirmed as yet, at the Commonwealth telecommunication operators' broadband summit in Nairobi last week, the director general at the CAK, Francis Wangusi said the ministry has stipulated a deadline of December 31 this year for the switch off of analogue signal.

The process of digital migration has been hit by various court cases. The latest case at the Supreme Court ordered the broadcasters and the CAK to work out the new date for migration.

Even Cofek had lodged a case against the digital migration earlier in the year. The body in its case argued that set top boxes were expensive and there was not enough of them in the country. Cofek later withdrew the case after the government agreed to have the issues addressed.

"Working with partners in Government, Private Sector and Development Partners, Cofek is now engaging in consumer education across the country. We invite partner support," the federation now says. "We recommend that you plan to buy your Set-Top Box (STB) in good time."

Kenya lags behind its East African neighbour Tanzania who switched off its analogue signals in Dar-es-Salaam in early 2013 and is currently working to switch over the rest of the country. Rwanda is also set to embark on its third phase.