Nairobi has a sufficient number of digital set boxes ahead of the digital switchover deadline of 31 December, according to Kenya's ICT cabinet secretary Fred Matiang'i.

In a report by The Star Matiang'i is quoted as stipulating there are over 1,5 million set top boxes which would fulfil the requirements of approximately 1.26 million households.

The stats have emerged from a consumer awareness campaign focused on digital migration initiated recently and covered by regional media.

126 digital TV broadcasting content providers have been temporarily licensed and 26 free-to-air channels are now operational on the digital platform writes the Star.

The Report also makes mention of steps authorities have taken to clamp down on unauthorised vendors of set top boxes.

At the same time director general of the Communications Authority of Kenya, Francis Wangusi is said to have confirmed that 61 vendors have been licensed.

"There are currently two digital broadcasting signal distributors with digital terrestrial TV coverage at 58 per cent of the population. This coverage almost replicates the existing analogue one. This is an assurance that all current analogue TV viewers will be able to receive digital signal upon completion of the switch off," said Wangusi and quoted by the Star.