Do you need a licence for two-way radios in Kenya?

The short answer

For most professional two-way radio in Kenya, yes. Operating a private radio network on licensed HF/VHF/UHF frequencies requires a frequency licence from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), issued under the category of a Private Land Mobile Radio Network¹. Two further points are worth knowing up front: the equipment itself must be type-approved by CAK¹, and push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) needs no spectrum licence of its own, because it runs on a mobile operator's already-licensed network.

Who regulates radio in Kenya

Radio spectrum in Kenya is managed by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), the regulator established under the Kenya Information and Communications Act. CAK assigns frequencies, licenses radiocommunication, and type-approves equipment. Business two-way radio falls under its Private Land Mobile Radio Network category, which covers closed-user-group communications in the HF, VHF and UHF bands, along with related categories such as trunked radio systems¹.

What needs a licence, and what does not

Needs a licence

• Private Land Mobile Radio Networks on licensed HF/VHF/UHF frequencies, such as DMR and analogue systems
• Trunked radio systems, and systems with your own repeaters or base stations
• Most commercial, industrial and organisational deployments

Does not need a spectrum licence

• PoC (push-to-talk over the cellular network), which uses the mobile operator's own licence
• Reception-only equipment

How to apply

CAK sets out a defined procedure for licensing a Private Land Mobile Radio Network¹:

1. Make sure the radios you intend to use are, or will be, type-approved by CAK. Reputable resellers supply type-approved models as standard.
2. Complete CAK's prescribed application form with your network configuration, and submit it with the supporting documents and the non-refundable application fee of KSh 1,000.
3. CAK reviews the application for completeness, then seeks clearance from the relevant government agencies and its Communications Licensing Committee.
4. On approval, you complete a data form of technical and operating parameters and pay the applicable licence fees. CAK assigns your frequencies and issues the licence.

In practice, a good reseller will guide or handle most of this for you as part of the project, since they apply on these frequencies routinely.

Cost and validity

The application fee is KSh 1,000 and is non-refundable¹. The licence fees themselves vary with your network configuration, and both the fees and the licence term are set by CAK through its published fee schedule. We are deliberately not quoting a total figure here, because it depends on the specifics of your assignment and these charges change. Confirm the current licence fees and validity period with CAK, through its licence application forms and fees page³, or ask your reseller, who will usually know the current cost for a fleet of your size.

Equipment type-approval

Separately from the frequency licence, radio equipment used in Kenya must be type-approved by CAK. As part of the process, CAK checks the technical and operating parameters of the equipment against its own specifications and international standards¹. In practice this means buying models that are already type-approved, which a reputable local reseller will supply. It is worth checking type-approval status before importing radios yourself, as non-approved equipment can be held at the border.

Operating without a licence

Using radio frequencies without the required authorisation is an offence under the Kenya Information and Communications Act, which provides for penalties². Beyond the legal risk, unlicensed transmissions can interfere with other users and be traced, so getting the licence in place is simply part of deploying a system that works reliably and lawfully.

How RadioSelect helps

The free needs analysis flags whether your likely solution needs a licence in Kenya, and connects you to a vetted local reseller who handles the CAK process routinely, so you are not navigating it alone.

Common questions

Do I need a licence for PoC / push-to-talk over cellular in Kenya?

Generally no. PoC runs over a mobile operator's already-licensed network, so there is no separate spectrum licence for you to obtain. You still buy or subscribe to the service, but the spectrum side is covered by the operator.

How much does a radio licence cost in Kenya?

The application fee is KSh 1,000 and is non-refundable. The licence fees on top of that depend on your network configuration and are set by CAK, so confirm the current total with CAK or your reseller before you commit.

Does my two-way radio equipment need to be type-approved?

Yes. Radio equipment must be type-approved by CAK, which checks it against its specifications and international standards. Buy type-approved models, which a reputable reseller supplies as standard.

Can my reseller arrange the licence for me?

In most cases yes. Resellers deploy on these frequencies routinely and will typically guide or handle the CAK application as part of the project.