Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's security went viral after they were captured using walkie-talkies during the Azimio protests on Monday, March 27.
The video was first posted online by Raila's aide, Prof Makau Mutua, who rode alongside the ODM boss in the car. The video showed how the security team shared information on the state of the road and police barricades.
Consequently, Kenyans debated whether it was legal for the security team to use the devices.
A search by Kenyans.co.ke established that the use of walkie-talkies is regulated by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA).
While the gadgets are not required to be licenced, CA requires any buyer to get authorisation during the purchase as detailed in the use of radio frequencies guidelines.
"The authorized ERP powers are expected to self-limit the coverage of such systems, and where necessary, will be reviewed by the Authority to ensure that the systems operate as expected.
"As a minimum, the systems should use an integral antenna only in order to maximize sharing and minimize interferences, and a channel plan based on 12.5 KHz spacing," read the statement in part.
CA explains that the authorisation of the devices enables it to ensure that devices are not used to interfere with other radio services.
"In order to make use of this band, users are only required to purchase radio systems that are type approved and operate within the provisions of the guidelines on the use of the 446 MHz band," CA states.
As was in the case of Raila, a number of online users had alleged that the security team was tapping the communication of the police.
However, Kenyans.co.ke also established that Raila's security team have been using walkie-talkies over the years.
In most cases, the walkie-talkies are used by the security team to communicate among themselves regarding their surrounding.
As seen with Raila's security detail, the ODM boss travels in an entourage. They occasionally have to communicate over traffic and the state of security on the road among others.
In any event of interference by the use of the devices, CA is mandated to investigate such incidents.
Walkie-talkies operate in a way that two devices can communicate with each other. One is required to speak into the microphone with the signal sent to the receiving device using the antenna.
Notable bodies that use walkie-talkies include the police, hotel workers, and security firms among others.
The price of a standard device ranges between Ksh4,500 and Ksh10,000.
