Why Radio is here to stay

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.

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.