My childhood dream was to become one of those invisible guys with sweet,
soothing voices on the radio. I loved radio with all my soul, heart, and
strength. The likes of Leonard Mambo, Elizabeth Obege, Jamila Kasalu, Omuga
Kabisai, Kaka JOS on the news, and sports commentator just to mention, but a
few could make you sit the whole day just listening to them. That was KBC for
you. Ohh and let me not forget, Peter Okocha of BBC was also one of my
favourites (He still presents for your information). I was so much attached to
radio that one couldn’t think I knew the presenter personally.
How can I forget the
lunchtime news and the miziki ya adhuhuri? As the bell for
lunch break rings, we rush for the gate to get some lunch from our homesteads.
As you reach home, the miziki ya adhuhuri greets your ears
with Aziz Abdi’s Pesa ni sabuni ya roho. I would eat hurriedly
to save my little butts from those painful strokes of canes.
On Sundays, I couldn’t
wait for the church service to be over. Je Huu ni Ungwana by
Veteran Leonard Mambo Mbotela and ugua pole na Lucozade na
Obati Machoka. And how can I forget Citizen’s Waweru Mburu with Yaliyotendeka (may
his soul rest in peace)
In terms of radio, our
country has come a long way. We now have over 500 radio stations. The
democratic space has really expanded. The public is now able to air their views
on social, political, and economic spheres of life as opposed to one radio
station.
The rise of vernacular
stations has ensured every segment of the demography in information
‘empowered.’ The young, teens, the middle-aged, and the elderly are able to
switch to their favourite radio stations as there is a variety to choose from.
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Due to technology, radio
has gone a notch higher. Now one is able to listen to radio online, and this
has really created a global village.
Radio is here to stay.
Happy World Radio Day.
