The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) has issued a warning to that country’s leading media group, Royal Media Services (RMS), to surrender several of its frequencies amid allegations of illegal use.

RMS uses the frequencies to broadcast various local radio channels, and even its flagship Radio Citizen and Citizen TV, in more remote areas.

Yet, the CCK says the frequencies used by RMS -- which operates radio and television networks countrywide and runs the country’s largest network of vernacular radios -- are “without a licence and, therefore, in contravention of the law”.

The regulator said that 24 unauthorised broadcasting frequencies were interfering with other broadcasters, and that they must cease operating within 30 days.

The RMS radio stations in question are local vernacular stations Egesa FM, Chamge FM, Ramogi FM, Mulembe FM, Inooro FM, Bahari FM, and Muuga FM, plus some frequencies of its flagship Radio Citizen, Kenya’s leading private station.

Its television channel Citizen TV, which is broadcasting in Malindi, is also in question regarding the legality of its broadcast.

“Operation of radio services without a licence is an offence that attracts a fine of Khs5 million and imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both,” said a public notice issued by the CCK.

The CCK’s Acting Director General Francis Wangusi said the unauthorised frequencies not only interfered with other broadcasters, but also other critical services, used by, for example, emergency vehicles.

Furthermore, a move to crackdown on RMS broadcasts could have political ramifications, as the company is owned by Samuel Macharia, a businessman who is said to be leaning towards Prime Minister Raila Odinga as his preferred candidate for the 2013 presidential elections.

Odinga has been renowned for fighting for political support by using local language stations.