World-famous children's show back on KTN

It's back. The world-famous Sesame Street show debuts on KTN this week. If you are all grown up now, you sang and danced with Elmo, Bert and Ernie and their friends when they were on Kenyan television almost 20 years ago.

Elmo and friends are back with a special series in Swahili: Sesame Hadithi Njoo airing on Wednesday at 3pm and Saturday at 9am on KTN. The first episode runs this Wednesday.

The Standard Group is partnering with Sesame Workshop, a non-profit organisation behind the children’s programme Sesame Street, to bring their award-winning educational programming to Kenya. Sesame Workshop is present in more than 150 countries, serving children through a wide range of media, formal education, and has funded programmes aimed at helping children grow "smarter, stronger and kinder".

Months of Covid-19 restrictions and school interruptions have highlighted the need for Sesame Workshop’s educational content to support children continue to learn, even from home. Research has shown that children who watch Sesame Street programmes in their early years perform better than others. 

In each episode of Sesame Hadithi Njoo, Elmo and friends will take children on new adventures through stories with lessons about sharing, cooperating and coping with change. The programme is supported by the US Department of State.

“Sesame Street engages children and families and promotes school readiness, kindness, and friendship — all with help from the beloved Sesame Street Muppets, who sing, dance and make sure you remember them!  Sesame Hadithi Njoo is specially tailored for children across Kenya, with valuable lessons to prepare children for school and life,” said Sesame Workshop Vice President of International Programmes Danny Labin.