[kictanet] Digital migration (Decorders)

Tue Dec 9 13:26:50 EAT 2014

Dear Mr Muthengi, 

We appreciate your kind opinion and advise you that Cofek has planned a
public forum on #DigitalMigration on Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 7.00
am to 11.00 am. The event will be officiated by ICT Secretary Dr Fred
Matiang'i. The meeting is aimed at creating awareness on some of the issues
you are raising. 

We have been clearly informing consumers that there is a difference between
pay-tv (cheaper but with subscriptions) and FTA(one-off but expensive)
decoders. We have also shared the CA link of all other STB vendors.
Apparently, you seem to be the only one complaining. Unknown to you, we were
part of the exercise that negotiated with GotvKenya and StarTimesKenya on
lowering the cost of their set top boxes in order to trigger price cuts. You
must, however, understand that they make their own business decisions. 

We will continue to work with all key stakeholders the pay-tv vendors, CA
and MOICT to sensitize consumers on the information you have shared. You are
also invited to our Thursday event. We will be happy to give you a brief
opportunity to add value to the need for more sensitization. Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

David Kedode

(for Cofek) 

From: John Muthengi [mailto:wanyiva at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2014 11:18 AM
To: david at cofek.co.ke; theresia at cofek.co.ke
Cc: cpa at ca.go.ke; wangusi at ca.go.ke; otieno at ca.go.ke; alwala at ca.go.ke;
ambani at ca.go.ke; hotline at cofek.co.ke; editor at ke.nationmedia.com;
editorial at standardmedia.co.ke; kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke;
ikburuett at ca.go.ke
Subject: Digital migration (Decorders)

Dear David Kedode (COFEK)

I reside in Nairobi.  Recently after the analogue switch off dates were
announced on the national dailies,  I was given i pamphlet on the street of
Nairobi by GOtv Kenya and StarTimes. The GOtv  Kenya pamphlet had indicated
that their decoders prices is Ksh. 1799 and 2 month free access. The
StartTime pamphlet had indicated that their decoders prices is Ksh 199 and
monthly subscription for Ksh. 149 with no mention on whether they are Free
to air(FTA) Set-top Box

These prices were very intriguing so I decided to visit their tents to
secure one only to discover that the information on the pamphlet was only to
confuse the consumer. I think think they should be compelled to fully
disclose full details on front details because the I feel they are confusing
consumers. They have opted to put FREE TO AIR(FTA) prices at the back of the
pamphlet while most consumers tend to read top page. 

GOtv Kenya sales guy advised me that FTA decoder was actually  costing Kshs.
(1,799+2,600=4,399) and StarTimes FTA decoder of Ksh.199 was not true
because the FTA decoder is actually trading at Ksh. 3999.

When I saw your email you circulated I was very disappointing because you
seem to have turned your great organisation into marketing agency of the two
marketers instead of protecting consumers. I also think you were impartial
and misleading to campaign for two marketers while we have others selling
Digital migration Set-top Box(STB) even at cheaper prizes as I have seem in
CA website. Ideally you should have taken time to research and check who has
best prices and more so after you put-up a paid up advertisement on Standard
newspaper of 27th November 2014 advising consumers on FTA Set-top Boxes. In
my view you are now protecting marketers and not consumers. Also it is very
important to be aware that digital migration is a big financial burden to
middle low and lower class Kenyans who have limited financial resources at
their disposal. They do not have the financial capacity to afford Pay-tv
whose FTA set-Top boxes whose cost is high to to monthly subscriptions. They
deserve your protection and not exploitation.

Your impartiality has even gone a notch higher by allowing the two marketers
to take over your website to display this misleading information.

 I sincerely feel that the consumer should be well informed about the a
product before any purchase and I felt that my right as a consumer was been
violated by your uncalled for action. I hope this complain will be given
at-most attention.

Kind Regards

John Muthengi (Nairobi)

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