Kenya’s government has denied that it has extended its digital migration deadline.

Last month, reports emerged that government had pushed the digital migration deadline from December to June 2014, owing to pressure from media owners in the country.

However, government has insisted that its plan to switch off analogue signals to households and businesses by December 13 has remained unchanged.

Kenya’s cabinet secretary for information and communications, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, reiterated that the deadline set for next month still stood, despite reports of the contrary.

Previous deadline for digital migration have been postponed in the country.

“As per the gazette notice No 13869 of 18th October, Nairobi and its environs (Rongai, Ngong, Athi River, Isinya, Thika, Parts of Machakos and Githunguri) will have the analogue signal switched off,” read a statement from Matiangi.

Matiangi added that dates for the switch-off were arrived at after extensive consultations with stakeholders.

He has also called upon media owners to stop creating “barriers” because of their “unpreparedness.”

Media owners oppose the December deadline as they say it could lock out Kenyans who do not have the set-top boxes required to convert analogue signals to digital.

Media owners also fear that there are not enough set-top boxes to cater for the local market.