Nairobi, Sept. 6 -- Questions have emerged over the status of Airtel Kenya's licence a month after the telecoms operator said it had received a 25-year permit, with new disclosures by the regulator showing it is still awaiting approval.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) said in a August 28 gazette notice that Airtel Kenya's applications for a network provider permit and a satellite provider authorisation were still subject to public submissions until September 28, after which the regulator can make a decision.

It comes a month after Airtel Kenya's managing director, Djibril Tobe, said the CA had offered the company a 25-year permit after paying an undisclosed fee, ending uncertainty over its operations.

The regulator and Airte...